Slip Affects 8 Villages on Verata Rd

Bus services to eight villages along Verata Road in Tailevu should resume by early next month. At the request of the Fiji Roads Authority, repair works are being undertaken by Fulton Hogan Hiways (FHH) on a 50-meter stretch that suffered an extensive landslip following heavy rains recently, resulting in the suspension of bus services to the area.

FHH’s Korovou depot supervisor Ulaiasi Bolalailai said villagers have been told that repair work will be completed by October 5th and so far, he said, work is on schedule.

Verata is a 10.85 kilometer road off of the Kings Road. The landslip is located about half a kilometer in. Mr. Bolalailai said that continuous wet weather eroded the road and finally washed away one side causing the landslip.

“Half the road is closed with a 2 metre drop off. We are filling the slip with soft stone and compacting it into layers to bring it level with the road.” said Mr. Bolalailai.

Navunimono villager Emori Qilo said the suspension of bus services had been a setback for the villagers, for regular bus services was the norm in Verata . He was grateful to FHHJV for the work. Only small vehicles, minibuses and carriers are now providing transportation to the affected villages, he said.

Buses that normally operate on Verata and its Ganiulau Road offer services to Naivuruvuru and Wainibokoim, Navunimono, Namoli settlement, Uluiloli, Sawa and Naloto village ending at Ucunivanua Village,” he said.

Maintaining the road network is a major part of the Fulton Hogan Hiways responsibilities under the Central area maintenance contract they hold with the Fiji Roads Authority.

ENDS

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