Flooding, sewage spillage prompt relocation talks

Flooding and sewage spillage have been recurring issues for the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) as discussions continue on relocating the Suva Corrections Centre to Naboro.

Acting Commissioner Auta Moceisuva said inmates have repeatedly been moved out of dormitories located in low‑lying areas during periods of heavy rain.

“This exercise has had to be repeated due to heavy rainfall and has caused inconvenience to inmates, who are then cramped into other facilities that are already overcrowded,” Mr Moceisuva said.

He added that as of this morning, Suva Corrections Centre was holding 330 inmates against an approved capacity of 280, highlighting the overcrowding situation.

“The entire drainage and sewer system needs serious realignment, but this would only exacerbate the problem due to the growth of surrounding developments, which has constrained space for expansion,” Mr Moceisuva said.

Mr Moceisuva, together with the permanent secretary for National Planning, Development and Statistics, Peni Sikivou, and senior staff members, conducted a ground visit and later held discussions on possible solutions, including the relocation of the Suva Corrections Centre.

The Ministry of National Planning and the FCS have since established a working committee to consider the relocation to Naboro, with a mandate to submit a comprehensive report.

The report will outline proposed developments, including road infrastructure, institutional buildings with modern rehabilitation facilities, court facilities, staff quarters, emergency support facilities and other amenities required for the effective operation of the proposed new centre.

“Following the completion of the report, a joint Cabinet paper by the Ministry of National Planning and FCS will be submitted to Government, accompanied by a phased implementation plan to realise the proposed relocation,” Mr Moceisuva said.

He added that while FCS understands its obligations under the United Nations minimum standards, the continued challenges could potentially place Fiji at risk of breaching basic correctional facility standards.

“For security reasons, the proposed facility should ideally be located in a suitable new area,” he said.

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