Street Dwellers and Beggars Cause a Stir

Street dwellers and beggars obstructing and disrupting Nadi business owners have forced the latter to take the law into their own hands.

AL-Hamd Smart Living managing director, Ashfaaq Khan, said the staff at his Nadi outlet have, on numerous occasions, cleaned the front of the shop due to faeces and urine left by street dwellers and beggars overnight.

“The band-aid solution has been implemented, and neighbouring shop owners have also taken the initiative to clean the front street. A permanent solution would be for the Nadi Town Council (NTC) to put measures in place,” said Mr Khan.

“I recognise that this falls under the council’s key responsibilities, and I propose that the council convene a meeting with the police, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, and relevant non-governmental organisations to address these issues collaboratively,” he said.

“Their numbers are growing, and they now hang around in front of our stores begging for money or simply wandering aimlessly. Some street dwellers are mentally challenged, while others prefer to live on the street.”

“They become hostile when asked to move and are a threat not only to our staff but also to passersby,” he added.

“These are locals who have families that can come and take them. There needs to be a system in place to trace their next of kin, and their families should be held responsible.”

Vuvale Restaurants managing director, Marc McElrath, said, “The government and social welfare should be made aware of these individuals and the help they need.

“NTC should look at assisting these people and help them get professional care at St Giles,” said Mr McElrath.

Businessman Jerry Gounder said the council can do very little as they face similar problems at their own council complex and are always referring these issues to the police. The issue falls directly under social welfare.

NTC special administrator chairperson, Salicieli Raiwalui, said, “It is a good topic to address.”

Questions sent by this masthead to the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, remain unanswered.

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