It is interesting that roadworks in Labasa have been described as ‘pathetic’.
We learn that this was made known during a talanoa session with Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at Tabucola Primary School on Sunday night.
A resident, we learn, mentioned that road contractors would continuously fix a road, yet potholes would still appear.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it was important for contractors to get the job done. We agree with this.
In many of our urban centres, potholes aren’t the only issues commuters and drivers are upset about these days.
It’s an issue that keeps popping up when road woes are mentioned.
It’s a bit like playing an old record, or keeping it permanently on replay mode, the constant raising of bad road issues that is.
It’s difficult to cut out the jolts, especially the ones that shake the vehicle, squeezing those shock absorbers and bushings.
These jolts shake the body of the vehicle so much that they leave behind squeaks and other sounds that weren’t there before.
Sometimes they get the wheel alignment right off.
Surely the last thing you’ll want is announcing your arrival at your destination via an orchestra of squeaks, rattles and bumps, loose screws and bolts adding a beat to the bodywork of your vehicle!
For many vehicle owners in the Capital City, there are roads that are like battlefields.
We have said this before, the potholes have been patched with a ‘bump’!
Thankfully though many sections of roads leading into the Capital City, for instance, have been worked on now and are looking quite good.
That’s a plus for commuters. But as much as we would want to trumpet the good work done so far, there are still roads that will leave the heart broken, and the pockets empty.
The potholes and bumps appear to have a mind of their own.
On some roads, you’d probably be forgiven for driving like an inebriated driver, high on much more than octane.
The potholes and bumps are a frustrating reminder of the sad state of some of our roads.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, they add to our woes.
You only have to drive along Milverton Rd, parts of Queen Elizabeth Drive, Gordon St, Ratu Mara Rd on the way to Samabula, along the CWM Hospital, and through Toorak in Suva to name a few, which is probably quite a lot already!
In Nasinu, try travelling along Kinoya Rd or along Vesivesi Rd and Tavola, or along Nokonoko Rd.
The bumps will test the most resilient of drivers who treasure their vehicles. This isn’t a new problem though.
Bad roads aren’t going to inspire people. Bad roads aren’t going to be family friendly either.
They leave an indelible impression on the minds of commuters, and that to a certain extent, may not be very good for the powers that be.
For now, we probably just have to be patient, and try to watch those shocks, and hopefully we can be gentle behind the wheels.
The key though is finding a way to make our roads better.
We look to the powers that be with hope.
