People in Labasa have been advised to make a written submission to Ministry of Waterways if they want drainage work in their area.

During a meeting with ratepayers at Labasa Town Council chambers on Friday evening, Minister for Waterways Mahendra Reddy said people could visit the ministry’s office and fill the form where a staff member would be available to assist.

“By the end of this month we will put together all forms and get a contractor and do it for that particular area one at a time,” Mr Reddy said.

“We want all requirements for a particular area before we send contractor. so that we don’t duplicate and have to go for little work now and then.

“We have a separate allocation for villages to carry out needed drainage work.

‘They need to visit our office and fill a form stating who they are and what kind of drainage problem they have. Our staff will visit the area and do the scoping and get quotations.”

Mr Reddy said there were allocations for rural settlements as well.

“So if a settlement in interior needs drainage work we will do that. We have done massive drainage work and schemes in irrigation areas,” he said.

“For municipal councils we are giving money directly to them because they know better about their area than us.”

A Labasa ratepayer from Naodamu, Kamlesh Prasad, said recently he had witnessed some drainage work done and he was very happy about it.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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