The potholes in Labasa are becoming as big as lovo pits.
This is how Labasa Taxi Association chair Mahen Prasad described the worsening state of roads in the town, saying the damage is no longer just an inconvenience but a serious safety concern.
“The big potholes in town are dangerous,” he said.
Mr Prasad said road conditions in Labasa had deteriorated to the point where motorists, pedestrians and public transport operators were all at risk.
“Cars are getting damaged after hitting them, especially at night or when it’s raining heavily, and you can’t see how deep they are.”
He said taxidrivers were bearing the brunt of the problem, with suspension systems, tyres and wheel alignments frequently damaged.
“Some of our members have had to take their vehicles off the road for repairs. That means loss of income for drivers and delays for passengers.”
He said many of the roads fixed by contractors had not lasted.
“Within weeks, some of the patched areas are already breaking apart. With the bad weather continuing, it’s only going to get worse. Travelling around town is becoming unsafe and very uncomfortable.”
The Fiji Roads Authority said the current wet weather conditions had significantly impacted the road conditions in the North and throughout the country.
“This is particularly evident mostly on the rural road network and also with recurring potholes due to a significant amount of rainfall.
“Flood-prone areas and low-level crossings have been impacted by floodwaters, with reported incidents of approach washout making crossing inaccessible.”
When asked about how much was being spent on road maintenance and pothole repairs each year, FRA said its budget depended on allocations from the Government.
FRA said each division was provided as per their yearly work program.
