Nabua Flats Crumbling, UnSafe

Three registered engineers have deemed Block 5 of the Mead Road Public Rental Board (PRB) housing estate as unsafe and compromised.

The three-storey building’s roof and floors have shown signs of compromise, leading to the relocation of five families out of the 26 tenants to alternative flats.

PRB general manager Timoci Naleba said the tenants of Block 5 were required to adhere to the evacuation notice because of the current hazardous conditions of the building.

“We enlisted the expertise of three registered engineers; Macallan (Fiji) Ltd, Isotect, and Vijay, an entrepreneur,” Mr Naleba said.

“All of them concluded that the building’s structural integrity has been compromised. Isotect specifically stated in its report that the building is unsafe. When an engineer makes such a statement, we have no choice but to declare the place unsafe,” Mr Naleba said.

One of the two flats at Nabua Public Rental Board Block 5 that has been closed due to cracks on floor on June 22, 2023. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Tenant 

One of the five tenants, Kuliniasi Seru will be shifting to Mead Road, Block two, next week.

Yesterday, Mr Seru was packing his family belongings. He has been living in his flat since 2012 and pays $14 a week.

“We were not home when a brick from the roof fell. There were two big bricks. We were lucky no one was at home because it was right above our kitchen sink,” he said.

“It is dangerous and hopefully PRB will move everyone from here before anything happens. This building is old.”

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