The Sokena Yavusa (Tribe) in the Macuata Province have agreed to have the Govern­ment build an Irish crossing at Ko­rotari.

The new crossing is expected to ease traffic congestion in Labasa Town, when completed.

Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea met the spokesperson of the Sokena Yavusa, Laisiasa Waqamoce, and received the written consent.

Mr Waqamoce said this was made possible after eight tenants gave him the approval to allow the Govern­ment to carry out the project on their land.

“We are aware that the suspen­sion bridge in Korotari was dam­aged during the flood last year,” Mr Waqamoce said.

“During the rainy weather the bridge is very dangerous to use be­cause it gets slippery and shaky. If there will be another flood or cyclone the bridge will break away complete­ly. So before this happens we decided to help the Government.”

The advisory councillor of Koro­tari, Satish Chand, said there were many students on the other side of Korotari River who risked their lives walking from home and using the suspension bridge to go to schools like Korotari Arya Primary School and Vunimoli Islamia College.

“We are very thankful to Sokena Ya­vusa and the Government for their support,” Mr Chand said.

“The work is expected to begin soon as materials have been slowly dropped off on the road and mark­ings have been done. The project which will be carried out by Fiji Roads Authority and is expected to be completed by end of May.”

Meanwhile, Mr Vocea said the crossing would be like a loop road connecting people living on both sides of the river.

“Vehicles can also drive through this crossing and one good thing about this project is that it will ease traffic congestion in Labasa Town area,” Mr Vocea said.

“Moreover, in future in case some­thing happens to the Labasa Bridge, this crossing can be used as an alter­native.

We had this in plan for so long and we thank the Sokena Yavusa for their approval to speed up the work.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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