Feces on Nadi shop corridors a worry

Nadi Town business owners are facing a distressing issue after recent floods.

Not only did the floodwaters affect their shops, but shopkeepers have also been left to clean human feces found on their shop corridors.

It is believed the feces are from individuals with mental instability, many of whom use the shop corridors as a place to sleep overnight.

During the recent flood, business owners were alarmed to find human waste on shop corridors, the main street, and open areas near streetlights.

Bobby Janendra Vikash, the owner of Mega Paper Supplies, expressed his frustration, saying he had repeatedly raised the issue with the Nadi Town Council.

He noted that the shop corridors near his business were commonly used by mentally challenged individuals.

“It is not the council that cleans these feces, it is us, the shop owners, who are cleaning them,” Vikash said.

“After the flood waters receded, these people left their feces in every corner of the shop corridors and the main street.”

Mr Vikash said the smell from the waste was unbearable, forcing him to clean both his shop corridor and the street.

Council’s Special Administrator, Saliceni Raiwalui, acknowledged that the issue required the collaboration of various stakeholders.

“This is not new. We have received complaints on this. The council cannot do this alone,” Mr Raiwalui said.

“The ministry and stakeholders have taken most of these street people to their homes, and those who are mentally unstable are taken to Saint Giles Hospital, but they continue to return to the streets.”

Mr Raiwalui suggested that stronger measures might be needed to address the issue.

“I think we have to place some harsh punishment on those who are doing this activity. They need to be told that if they are seen doing this, they will be chased and forcefully taken back to their villages. Some of them are just from villages around here in Nadi.”

He further drew a comparison between the issues of mentally unstable individuals and littering, emphasising the need for responsibility in keeping the environment clean.

“Those who keep on littering after several advisories are no different from those who are mentally unstable,” Mr Raiwalui stated.

“If we are in our right mind, we will be responsible and ensure to keep our environment clean.”

Mr Vikash, also an advisory councillor and chairman of Nadi district, pointed out that flooding in rural areas was often caused by blocked drains, which are frequently obstructed by litter.

“I think the drainage blockage was caused by rubbish being thrown in the drains, especially in the rural areas,” he said.

“While the town area has been cleaned by the council, people continue to throw rubbish into the drains, leading to blockages and flooding.”

Mr Vikash suggested that the Ministry of Health and Environment could appoint littering officers to monitor and take action against those who engage in careless littering.

Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj