Namalata District Representative Ilaitia Savai is calling on the Government to fast-track road, bridge and water infrastructure projects, warning that damaged crossings continue to prevent about 20 students from attending school whenever river levels rise.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Savai says improving roads and essential services remain a priority for the district in Tailevu.
He is calling for Matacaucau Road to be upgraded, saying the Waterways Ministry has confirmed the engineering design for the project is currently being prepared.
Savai says this was raised during the Fijian Media Association Korovou Town Hall Forum and he hopes the design process will be completed soon so funding can be approved, and construction can begin without further delay.
He is also urging the Government to repair the seawall at nearby Sote Village, saying the area is home to a number of Ministry of Education staff and around 20 students who travel each day to attend Tailevu North College.
Savai says the district has repeatedly requested the reconstruction of two damaged crossings, as rising river levels often prevent students from getting to school.
He says a permanent bridge is urgently needed because schoolchildren, education officers and elderly residents rely on the crossing every day.
Savai also highlighted ongoing water supply issues, saying officials have confirmed plans to extend the water supply from Davetalevu.
However, he says while electricity has reached the area, communities as far as Burekasivi are still without a reliable water supply despite a growing population.
The District Representative acknowledged that work has begun on the Matacaucau Road following discussions held during the Fiji Media Korovou Town Hall Forum.
Savai, who has served as District Representative for the past eight months, says he has been pushing for development projects to benefit the district's 11 villages.
He also thanked the Government for electrifying most villages in Namalata, saying only Nailega and Yavusara are still waiting to be connected.
