Commander Labels Youth Drinking Incident ‘Sad’

Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel apprehended more than 20 men who were drinking together in Mead Road, Nabua, yesterday.

The men, mostly youths, defied the COVID-safe protocols in a jungle area just outside the Mead Road Public Rental Board barracks.

Military Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto labelled the incident as very sad, given that despite the increase in COVID cases, men, mostly youths, were out drinking and not adhering to COVID-safe measures.

He confirmed that the RFMF assisted the Police Special Response Unit and labelled the whole incident as a sad one which showed total disregard for the social gathering directives issued by the Ministry of Health.

Mr Naupoto said the men in this case were likley drinking overnight.

“This is not the first time we have responded to complaints from members of the public. People who are defying the COVID protocols and drinking, congregating. This shows irresponsibility,” he said.

“These are the people spreading COVID. They were drinking, sharing glasses and then they will go back to their families, the same people they are supposed to be protecting. This is a sad thing.”

Mr Naupoto said the RFMF are patrolling and responding to phone calls which have come their way about such gatherings.

He said it looked like there was an increase in such lawlessness and behaviour which can be described as stupidity.

He said this was clearly a contradiction of what the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has said to the way people should be living their lives.

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