It was once a rugged terrain in Navosa.
Now it boasts road connectivity, giving easy access to the people living remotely up in the highlands.
For years villagers living in this part of Viti Levu could only dream of travelling on easy access road. Everyday was a struggle. Villagers would trek for miles before catching the transport.
Even though constructing a road in remote areas takes time and chews up money, having one opens up myriads of opportunities for development – education, health and other essential services to those living remotely.
For villagers of Draubuta and Lalati settlement in the district of Noikoro, road accessibility means accessing roads to farms and transportation of produce to the Sigatoka market.
Road works
In November 2019, villagers’ plea up in the highlands was finally heard when road construction works began.
The work started from Nakoro Village in the district of Noikoro and stretched to unreachable areas in the province.
The new access road linked the isolated villages of Nakoro, Draubuta, Navitilevu and Lalati settlement and other villages in the district, making it a convenient form of connectivity in such a distant area.
Naturally in any remote area, roadworks come with poor accessibility, logistical complexities, harsh and unpredictable weather conditions that contribute to roadwork delays.
“Unfavourable weather conditions and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays to project timelines,” the Fiji Roads Authority said about the project.
The FRA persevered to provide the people of Navosa with a road they could travel on, saying the project was completed and site inspection was carried out last year.
“This development has greatly benefitted the entire community,” the authority said.
It says that the road makes transportation of good and services more convenient and improves connections to markets.
“It has also created better access for school children, ensuring they can travel more safely and reliably.
“It is rewarding for FRA as this project has improved connectivity for the people.”
Joy to villagers
The villagers of Draubuta and Lalati are happy with the access road as it allows them to transport their produce to the local market easily now.
With yaqona being a main source of livelihood for farmers in the highland, having access to a road helps them support their families and also contribute to Fiji’s economy.
Draubuta Village headman, Sireli Namarua said the villagers were grateful for the new access road.
“The access road has made movements to and from the village quite easy and travelling doesn’t take as much time as it used. Even going to traditional and family gathering in nearby villages has been made easy.
“Some of the villagers in Draubuta have farms close to Navitilevu, Lalati and Nakoro.
“Instead of trekking for hours, they catch a vehicle now to go to their farms, so it is less time consuming than before.
The new access road has allowed pregnant women to get quick access to medical care and youths to participate in business projects.
Turmeric harvesting has even thrived in Noikoro district as distant villages become reachable.
According to FRA the access road in Navosa is now approximately 81 km from the Sigatoka roundabout.
Draubuta Village road is on the left while the road that leads to Lalati settlement is on the right. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
Road that leads to Lalati settlement in Noikoro, Navosa. Picture: VILIAME RAVAI
Villagers can now transport their produce easily to the market. Picture: VILIAME GASO JUNIOR
Villagers now travel easily from one village to another. Picture: VILIAME GASO JUNIOR
A nurse on horseback. Picture: VILIAME GASO JUNIOR
