Editorial: Potholes Galore, a Real Pain in the ...

Fix your eyes on the road is the key to road safety days.

If you aren't careful enough, well, you may end up paying a visit to the local automobile shop for that damaged tyre, shock absorber, or suspension, spending hundreds on something that could have been avoided.

After the continuous rain and flooding, our already poor road conditions would once again bear the brunt of deeper and wider potholes.

And lest we forget, not to mention the road slips like the one experienced in Savura Rd, Wailoku, causing a major water cut in many parts of Lami and Suva.

The plea for patience from the Minister for Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, is understandable but it's also a reminder of the frustration felt by countless

motorists and pedestrians navigating treacherous roads daily.

While it's true that repairing roads during wet weather poses challenges, it's equally important that proactive measures are taken to prevent the increase

of potholes in the first place.

One crucial aspect highlighted by the minister is the lack of a budget for emergency road repairs.

This oversight is concerning, because there's an obvious failure to prioritise the safety and convenience of the public.

However, the reassurance that steps are being taken to address this issue can be a glimmer of hope amid the frustration.

Another strong issue is the absence of a standard protocol for maintaining roads.

The revelation that there is no general standard of work in terms of road maintenance is alarming.

It speaks to a broader need for robust and accountability mechanisms within the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to ensure that contracted road services meet

acceptable standards.

Moreover, the removal of essential infrastructure like the testing lab from the Public Works Department (PWD) has further exacerbated the problem.

This loss emphasises the need to relook at the organisational structures to ensure that vital functions like quality control are not overlooked in the pursuit

of efficiency.

The FRA's commitment to assessing resilient solutions for road infrastructure and implementing a pothole reduction programme is commendable.

But these efforts must be accompanied by tangible results and a timeline for implementation.

The public deserves transparency and accountability in these endeavours.

As citizens, we cannot afford to remain passive spectators in this ongoing saga of crumbling roads and neglected infrastructure.

We must hold authorities accountable and demand swift action to address the pervasive issue of potholes.

We must advocate for robust investment in infrastructure maintenance and repair, coupled with stringent oversight mechanisms to ensure public funds are used efficiently and effectively.

In addition, we must demand that infrastructure projects taken on thanks to our diplomatic relations, are built to withstand the harsh weather conditions

that Fiji is used to.

This can be achieved with proper planning, expertise and using standardised materials.

Finally, we urge road users to remain alert and take care out there.

Feedback: ranobab@fijisun.com.fj