Residents of Suva’s Jittu Estate are living in uncertainty as development work for a bus garage near their homes has resulted in the residents removing portions of their homes to allow for work to progress.
Kamlesh Wati, a resident for more than 40 years, told this newspaper her family of seven had to remove their toilet, washing area and a portion of their backyard after digger operators started clearing the land.
She claimed the development is for a bus company’s new garage, which she said would disturb the environment and create noise pollution in the informal settlement.
Ms Wati claimed while they were consulted before the grading and clearing works commenced, they weren’t aware the garage boundary would be inches from their backdoor.
She said the development would endanger the structural stability of their homes because continuous heavy rain could trigger landslides.
“When we open the backdoor, it is just one step from the trench they built and the soil is slowly being washed away during heavy rain,” Ms Wati said.
“We have already shifted our toilet and washing area inside the house because they cleared the whole area, now we are worried about our safety too.”
The 61-year-old added the works have also ruined the road they use to gain access, via car, to and from Ratu Mara Rd.
She said her family and other residents, especially the elderly and disabled, could no longer use the road because it was unfit for use and no longer accessible to vehicles.
“That road was easier for us rather than going around and coming through Gaji Rd, this one was closer to the main road but now that one is gone too.”
She said despite attempts to get help from the Lands and Housing Ministry and other stakeholders had fallen on deaf ears.
Resident Sam Ali echoed similar sentiments, saying they have been living in the area since birth.
“This is the only place I know. I have nowhere to go if the situation worsens,” he said.
Mr Ali claimed the developers had overdug the area and overstepped their boundary.
He said most of the residents were low-income earners and elderly people, and he pleaded with the authorities to assist them.
The Fiji Times is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Suva City Council.
