Minister for Infrastructure Parveen Bala says people have to understand that the existing drains and culverts in the country are underdesigned and cannot hold water.
Bala highlighted this in Parliament after Opposition MP, Prem Singh raised an urgent question saying victims of the recent flooding in the Western Division have contacted them and are complaining that the flash flooding is a result of blocked drains and culverts.
Singh questioned Bala why the Fiji Roads Authority is not regularly cleaning and maintaining drains along the main roads and highways that falls within its jurisdiction.
Bala says the FRA has a program where they are replacing the old and undersized culverts.
Meanwhile, NFP Leader Biman Prasad questioned Bala on FRA’s capabilities of handling this issue.
Bala told parliamentarians that the FRA is fully equipped and capable of carrying out its work.
