People in the Northern Division have been reminded to show common respect and courtesy for their communities and refrain from dumping rubbish on the roads and drains.

Fiji Roads Authority general manager Network Operations and Maintenance Aram Goes said: “This is one of the issues that have come to light.

“It is the responsibility of the general public not to dispose household rubbish or green waste into the roadside drains.

“We are urging the public to please be more responsible and do not dump rubbish on the roads and the drains, and show common respect and courtesy for their communities,” he added.

Mr Goes said rubbish contributes to the blockage of drains which led to flooding of the road stretch.

“A lot of drains are not cleaned and the water does not flow to the outlets properly,” he said.

“We are working closely with the Land and Water Resource Management Department on improving drains that outlet from the roadsides to the main waterways.”

He said stagnant water was a health issue as it become a breeding place for mosquitoes.

“This is important in low-lying areas prone to flooding, where stagnant water can then become a health issue for breeding mosquitoes,” Mr Goes said.

“People need to take ownership and manage their roadside drain frontages responsibly to avoid blocking drains,” he said.

Mr Goes said the authority will periodically clean and spray roadside drains to ensure the free flow of water.

“However, obstructions placed in these drains such as rubbish, hedge clippings and improper driveways block up the drains are the residents’ responsibility.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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