Government departments in the Western Division continue to work collaboratively to keep the public informed and better prepared for natural disasters.

Commissioner Western, Manasa Tagicakibau, said this yesterday.

“Any tropical depression coming down Vanuatu way, we will be anticipating that depression or disturbance will pass through the Western Division,” Mr Tagicakibau said.

“In terms of preparation, we continue to remind all the government departments.

“We look at their preparation status and the type of resources, manpower, the capability and the things they can actually provide to assist in the response work.”

Mr Tagicakibau also highlighted the need to better equip emergency operation centres.

“I have worked on the Divisional Emergency operations centre in Lautoka and we have brought it up to some standard that will enable us to effectively respond to the plight of the general public out there,” he said.

He said the Government departments in the Western Division need to be updated in terms of their status of preparedness.

“It’s so that we are able to assist the public and respond very quickly to anything that might happen in the Western Division,” Mr Tagicakibau said.

“I have also done the one in Nadi and we’re working on the Emergency Operation Centres throughout the Western Division.

“If the platforms are not good, it will take time for us to respond, but these are some of the things we are working with in the background.”

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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