A resident of Naiyaca Subdivision did not shy away from raising the issue surrounding the sewage spill flowing through a drain in Labasa Town.

Former retired Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) employee and now market vendor, Vijay Nand, 65, claims the sewage water came from the Labasa Hospital.

Mr Nand said public health risk was at stake with pedestrians and residents having to put up with the bad odour, detrimental to their health.

The drain where the sewage spill flows is beside the Labasa Court House.

“I have to completely cover my mouth whenever I walk past this drain because of the foul smell,” he said.

Labasa Town Council ratepayer, Vijay Nand, 65, shows the sewage spill in Labasa. Photo: Sampras Anand

“My visits to hospital have increased because of alleged short breaths triggered by the stench.

“This problem had existed for four years now and the council is aware because of my previous complaints, yet no permanent solution is made.

“One of the chambers had a side leakage, but, this was temporarily fixed.”

Two pits were dug to ease the extra leakage, however, the they are now filled with black coloured liquid alleged to be sewage wastewater.

A daily morning walker, Mr Nand, now reverts to doing his exercise at home.

The drain was filled with black sewage water and which emitted foul smell.

Complaints of similar nature have been lodged at the Labasa Town Council office.

Council response

Town council special administrator, Doreen Robinson is aware of the problem and its reports.

She assured the complainant, Mr Nand, that the council’s acting CEO, Mr Ali, was looking into this problem.

“Sewage management is in the hands of Water Authority of Fiji (WAF),” Ms Robinson said.

The council will act on behalf of ratepayers to initiate dialogue and correspondence with WAF in the hope it rectifies this health issue.

Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj