RESIDENTS of Lololo in Lautoka are calling for immediate government intervention to address critical road infrastructure that has been neglected for years.
Spokesperson Monil Narayan told this newspaper last Thursday that the community is submitting a petition with supporting signatures after repeated complaints to the Advisory Council Chairman, Fiji Roads Authority, district officers, and Members of Parliament yielded no action.
He said poor roads were severely impacting access to emergency and essential services, schools, and agricultural transport.
Approximately 300 residents across settlements including Dakua 1 and 2, Sompal Rd, Wainamo Rd, and Tuka Rd rely on these public access roads, which also serve as Sugar Cane Access Roads and the main route for schoolchildren attending Drasa school.
“The roads are in deplorable condition with no gravelling, drainage, or culverts,” Mr Narayan said.
“During rainy seasons, they become impassable. Emergency vehicles cannot reach the area, and agricultural produce cannot get to markets, causing financial losses to families.”
Demonstrating community commitment, the local mataqali has agreed to provide free gravel for repairs.
The petition requests government support and machinery including graders, diggers, trucks, and rollers to restore road access.
Mr Narayan also highlighted Lololo Rd, used by roughly 500 residents and commercial operations like Fiji Pine Group Ltd, as particularly damaged.
Heavy trucks, poor drainage, potholes, and unsafe bridges have made travel dangerous, and no public transport has serviced the route for nearly a decade. Residents must now rely on expensive taxis and carrier services.
Questions sent to the Fiji Roads Authority and Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau remain unanswered.
