Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar made an important point on Wednesday evening about priorities when discussing the needs of the Old Capital, Levuka.
Repeated cyclones, she argued, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, forced the previous government to focus on Levuka’s recovery rather than on longer-term infrastructure projects and essential services.
Speaking during the Fiji Media Association town hall forum in Levuka, Ms Kumar defended the former FijiFirst government’s record on Ovalau.
She said a series of national disasters diverted resources towards emergency recovery, delaying planned development.
Following the destruction caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, she noted, the immediate priority was rebuilding schools so children could safely return to their classrooms.
Levuka was among the hardest-hit areas, suffering extensive damage to its port, market and other public infrastructure.
Efforts, she said, had also focused on repairing the town’s seawall to reduce flooding before other development projects could proceed.
According to Ms Kumar, progress was often interrupted as Fiji faced a number of cyclones between 2016 and 2022, forcing the nation to repeatedly return to emergency response instead of continuing with long-term development.
We say it may be considered a fair explanation, and one that reflects the difficult balancing act any government faces after natural disasters.
However, in saying that, we note it also raises important questions about whether enough has been done to ensure Levuka is now moving forward.
The town hall forum on Wednesday evening was well attended, with residents taking the opportunity to question Government ministers Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Mosese Bulitavu and Siromi Turaga, along with Opposition MPs Ms Kumar and Inia Seruiratu. The discussion showed that people want to be heard and also yearn for meaningful results. Now the people of Levuka will be waiting for action on the issues they raised, including the condition of roads, the seawall and other pressing community concerns.
Among the priorities are the need for an ambulance based on the island, and easier access to pharmacy services. These are essential services that every community should expect.
The road from Levuka to St John’s College at Cawaci remains in poor condition. Sections of the seawall are crumbling, creating hazards for motorists, while a rusting vessel abandoned along the seashore has become an eyesore.
As Fiji’s first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, we say Levuka deserves better. Preserving its historic character must go hand in hand with investing in modern infrastructure and essential public services.
The people of Ovalau have waited long enough. They deserve the Government’s assurances.
They deserve sustained investment, decisive action and to be able to look forward to progress that secures Levuka’s future and honours its past.
