Bad roads in Rotuma affect students

An accident occurred on Rotuma Island when a truck hit a pothole, causing two students to be thrown from the vehicle, fortunately without any injuries. The incident has sparked local concerns about the road conditions and led to truck drivers ceasing operations. This has raised questions about infrastructure maintenance.

Due to the poor road conditions, truck drivers on Rotuma Island have stopped operating, resulting in as many as 300 students being unable to attend school. Dr. John Fatiaki, an advisor to the Rotuma Council, summarized the situation, stating that the children are being punished for reasons beyond their control. The impact on the students' education is significant.

Dr. Fatiaki pointed out that the Public Works Department (PWD) was responsible for road maintenance on the island for a long time, before this responsibility was transferred to the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA). He stated that the PWD had a depot on Rotuma Island, equipped with 12 to 13 staff members and machinery, allowing for regular maintenance of the road network. However, after the FRA replaced the PWD, only about five to six staff members were retained.

Dr. Fatiaki further explained that initially the road conditions were passable because the PWD had equipment such as bulldozers, dump trucks, and JCB loaders. However, starting in January of last year, the FRA essentially withdrew from the island, leaving only one or two caretakers, and two people with shovels cannot maintain the roads. This lack of resources has exacerbated the problem.

Dr. Fatiaki also mentioned that employees from Flame Tree Company were commissioned by Fiji Airports to come to the island to repair the airport runway. At that time, the Minister for Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, also visited the island. Flame Tree Company was subsequently hired to repair the roads and restored them to normal within two weeks. "That was in September," Dr. Fatiaki said. "We asked the ministry then to consider an ongoing maintenance program, meaning someone is here almost daily working consistently on the roads. You can't leave it for three to six months and then expect to put a band-aid on it."

However, the weather deteriorated, and road maintenance work was not carried out, causing the roads to be washed away in heavy rain, forming potholes up to three feet deep. "Obviously, when vehicles go through, they inevitably go into potholes, and smaller vehicles get parts damaged. My understanding is that the truck that was carrying the students also went into these potholes," Dr. Fatiaki said. "I think the two kids at the back either got thrown out or jumped off the truck. I think after that happened, the truck drivers collectively decided they couldn't risk it anymore."

"Since Monday last week, they have stopped transporting the kids. It's become a problem because now the kids are being punished. My understanding is that for the last two weeks, except for the kids who live next door to the school, the kids who need transport to get to the only high school on the island have not been attending." This disruption to their education is a serious concern.

When asked about the matter yesterday, Minister for Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, stated that he was aware of the situation and had already dispatched a team with the necessary equipment to the island. "The ship was diverted due to the cyclone," he said. "So, they should be there next week." The Minister stated that he would meet with the Chairman of the Rotuma Council and Dr. Fatiaki to hear their concerns.

Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, also expressed concern about the students missing school. "I have requested the Honorable Minister to intervene on the position taken by the transport service providers due to the poor road conditions," he said. "We plead with all stakeholders to understand that they play a very important role in ensuring that students are in school." It is crucial to find a solution that allows students to return to their studies.