The owner of Navatu Kava Bar, Joe Morell, has raised significant concerns regarding the recurrent flooding issues faced by local businesses in Labasa. Morell expressed his anxiety over the threat of heavy rains causing shops to flood due to blocked drainage systems. He emphasized the urgent need for improvements in the town’s drainage infrastructure to prevent future incidents.
Labasa Town Council Chair Paul Jaduram has acknowledged the ongoing drainage problems and assured that efforts are underway to address these complications. In light of the approaching cyclone season, both residents and business operators are urging authorities to prioritize drainage maintenance to avert further flooding and potential damage to properties.
This situation mirrors similar frustrations expressed in other regions, such as Sigatoka, where the local business community has criticized the Ministry of Waterways and the Fiji Roads Authority for neglecting necessary drainage maintenance and infrastructure upkeep. Suresh Naidu, president of the Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has vocalized similar concerns in Sigatoka, emphasizing that inadequate drainage systems have severely impacted businesses and disrupted local economies.
In both cases, community members are calling for urgent action to rectify these infrastructure shortcomings, highlighting the broader implications for public safety and economic resilience in the face of natural disasters. With rising awareness and pressure from affected citizens and business owners, there remains a hopeful outlook that these concerns will prompt meaningful reforms and proactive measures to mitigate flooding risks across the regions.