THE Nadroga/Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for an immediate drainage audit to be carried out in Sigatoka Town.
This, after the town was inundated by floodwaters earlier this week, forcing several businesses to close early.
Chamber president Suresh Naidu expressed concern and frustration over the town’s flooding problem while calling for the audit.
“The Ministry of Public Works and the Fiji Roads Authority should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the town’s drainage network to identify and clear blockages caused by siltation and debris,” said Mr Naidu.
“There is also a need for infrastructure modernisation and to move beyond temporary fixes and invest in the long-term upgrading of culverts and waterways that can no longer handle the volume of modern rainfall patterns.”
He said a joint taskforce between FRA and the Sigatoka Town Council should be established to “ensure that maintenance schedules are strictly followed, particularly during the cyclone and rainy seasons”.
”We are the ‘Breadbasket of Fiji’ and a vital hub for the tourism industry.
“We cannot invite investment and growth if our town’s main street becomes a river every time there is a heavy downpour. We demand immediate action, not just more promises or ‘studies’ that lead nowhere.”
Meanwhile, Sigatoka Town Council’s special administrator Adish Naidu said the flood experienced this week was caused by a high amount of rain.
“We are looking at the concerns being raised by our residents and working with the relevant authorities to address them,” he said.
Questions sent to FRA on Tuesday on the concerns raised by Mr Naidu remain unanswered.
