They raise the issue after a woman and a child fell from the second floor of a three-storey building

Some tenants of the Public Rental Board have raised concerns over the regularity of maintenance checks and evaluation of the flats from the board.

It comes after a woman and a seven-month-old child fell from the second floor of a PRB building on Mead Road, Nabua, Suva.

It is alleged that the railing which the 37-year-old woman supported herself, while carrying the child, had broken. The incident happened on Sunday.

Public Rental Board Estate Nabua assistant overall secretary Waisea Koroinivalu said, the railings, among other facilities in the building, were broken and needed urgent repairs.

“We usually meet and compile reports on the maintenance needs of our flats. These are submitted to PRB for action but we’ve received no response,” Mr Koroinivalu said.

“Even our request for an assessment to be conducted after Tropical Cyclone Winston received no response.”

Mr Koroinivalu said they would seek an audience with a Government official to personally inspect the buildings. There are 24 flats in one block of the seven blocks at Nabua.

But PRB acting general manager Patrick Veu said: “So we sort of fixed that problem and we are looking at other areas so we can reinforce the ones that needs to be attended to.”

Further questions sent to him, upon his request, to clarify the regularity of maintenance and evaluations remained unanswered when this edition went to press.

The child and the woman are still admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

Tenants of PRB were horrified to witness the incident at Block 1.

One of them, who wished to remain anonymous, said the woman was carrying her neighbour’s baby when she leaned against the second floor railings which suddenly broke.

“She (the woman) had just showered and ran upstairs to carry the baby as she is always fond of children,” the witness said.

“We got a shock she fell with the baby in her hand.

“The woman lay unconscious with the baby wrapped tightly in her arms. They were then rushed to hospital.”

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said investigations into the incident continue.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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