Power outages disrupt Nabobuco mortuary operations

Frequent low-voltage electricity supply and power outages are disrupting operations at the Nabobuco mortuary in Naitasiri, prompting local leaders to seek Government assistance.

The issue was raised by Ratu Aporosa Naivaroko, the Mata ni Tikina o Bobobuco from Naqelewai Village, during a talanoa session attended by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and representatives from various government ministries.

Speaking on behalf of his district, Ratu Aporosa said the local mortuary urgently needed to be expanded as the facility could accommodate fewer than five bodies.

He said when the mortuary reached capacity, families were forced to transport the deceased to Tavua and, if space was unavailable there, to Ba or Lautoka.

This, he said, placed additional financial pressure on families during funeral arrangements.

Ratu Aporosa also raised concerns about unreliable electricity supply, saying frequent low voltage and power outages affected the preservation of bodies at the mortuary.

He also highlighted the need for improved roads in the interior highlands and requested licensing arrangements that would allow local carrier drivers to transport passengers, noting that buses did not operate in many remote areas.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Rabuka said proposed development projects must first receive the support and agreement of the local vanua before being submitted to the Government.

He said the Government did not want to approve projects where disagreements already existed within the vanua, adding that it did not wish to create or worsen divisions among traditional communities.