During a talanoa session in 2019 with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, residents of Naqiroso Settlement in Lautoka requested for a proper road because the condition of the previous road was deteriorating.

Mr Bainimarama promised the 125 residents of the settlement that a proper road would be constructed.

That promise was fulfilled yesterday. The $41,000 project funded by the Government through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster Management was officially opened by the provincial administrator, Ba, Ravuama Nagatalevu.

The residents were suffering in silence for more than 35 years because of the poor condition of the road.

The settlement’s Turaga Ni Koro (head man), Ratu Sione Ravusoni, said the people were happy and it was about time work was done to construct a proper road. Mr Ravusoni said because of the bad road condition previously, people would be transported on wheelbarrows to the main road or otherwise be in their homes till it was safe to move.

“In the past 35 years we had been suffering, no proper road had been done for us. The condition of the road here was very bad, but now it is suitable for us to walk and even travel on in our own vehicle,” he said.

Village elder Jonasa Udretakali, 58, said that it was havoc for the 30 plus children of the settlement when they had to go to school on a rainy morning.

He added that during a time when COVID-19 was a threat to the lives of many Fijians, Mr Bainimarama still stuck to his promise by giving the residents a proper road.

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