Concerns continue to be raised over long-standing drainage issues in several parts of Suva, as persistent flooding during periods of heavy rain remains a regular and unresolved problem.
Areas repeatedly affected include the Reservoir Road junction, Karsanji Street, the Nabua Muslim League area and surrounding neighbourhoods, where even moderate rainfall causes water to overflow onto roads and nearby properties, disrupting daily activity and posing safety risks.
There are also growing concerns about whether any concrete plans exist to upgrade drainage infrastructure in these flood-prone areas.
Concerns have been raised that rubbish dumped illegally is being washed into drains and waterways during heavy rain, blocking water flow and worsening flooding.
In response to questions from fijivillage News, the Ministry of Waterways says that drainage maintenance in urban areas such as Suva largely falls under the responsibility of the Suva City Council and the Fiji Roads Authority.
The Ministry says councils are generally responsible for minor drains, while the Fiji Roads Authority oversees drainage linked to roads and transport infrastructure.
The Ministry adds that its role is mainly confined to established drainage schemes, major rivers, creeks and waterlogged agricultural areas, as outlined under the 2023 Drainage Act.
The Suva City Council says their teams are on the ground every day, including weekends, clearing drains and removing rubbish that has been irresponsibly dumped by members of the public.
They say that while regular cleaning and maintenance work continues across the city, a shift in public mindset is urgently needed, as many people still treat littering and illegal dumping as someone else’s responsibility.
Questions have been sent to the Suva City Council regarding the drainage condition in these areas, any planned remedial works, timelines for upgrades, and the enforcement measures in place to curb illegal dumping.
