“We are dealing here with people who have been stranded from their homes for months now. They are anxious to return to their families but are being unnecessarily delayed because of government red tape.”
FLP leader MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY
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| “It takes several days to get a travel clearance. People are being pushed from pillar to post, often forced to go through four or five rounds of swabbing over as many days and made to travel over long distances from one government department to another. This is yet another instance of this government’s gross indifference and insensitivity to people’s needs. Before announcing the opening of travel between the two islands, it should have streamlined the process so that travel passes are issued without much inconvenience.” | One Mind, One Goal, Facebook:  |
Thousands of people waiting to travel between Vanua Levu and Viti Levu are being put to unnecessary hassle, inconvenience and expense because government has not streamlined its procedures, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
“It takes several days to get a travel clearance. People are being pushed from pillar to post, often forced to go through four or five rounds of swabbing over as many days and made to travel over long distances from one government department to another.
“This is yet another instance of this government’s gross indifference and insensitivity to people’s needs. Before announcing the opening of travel between the two islands, it should have streamlined the process so that travel passes are issued without much inconvenience,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The Labour Party has received numerous complaints from travellers caught at both ends.
“We are dealing here with people who have been stranded from their homes for months now. They are anxious to return to their families but are being unnecessarily delayed because of government red tape,” said Mr Chaudhry
Our information is that more than 7000 residents of Vanua Levu are still stranded in Viti Levu while about 4000 from Viti Levu are stuck in Vanua Levu.
The Commissioner Central’s office is responsible for issuing passes from this end. It is, reportedly, imposing strict control on how many can travel at any one time. Even those with confirmed flights, are refused travel.
One complainant said his wife and daughter, stranded in Suva since the April lockdown, have had to undergo swabs four times in two weeks. They had confirmed bookings to travel on Thursday, for the third time, but were again refused a pass by the Commissioner’s Office which claimed the flight was full.
There is the further inconvenience of getting swabbed at a medical facility in Suva and then travelling all the way to the Commissioner’s office in Nausori to get a travel clearance.
“Why are people being put to such inconvenience? Why isn’t an office being opened somewhere in Suva for those wishing to obtain a pass? I am just flabbergasted at government’s lack of concern for the people,” said Mr Chaudhry.
“We are reliably informed that 35 passengers with proper clearances, about to board the ferry at the Natovi Landing last Monday, were stopped from travelling by the Commissioner’s office. By the time they returned to Suva, it was past curfew time (11pm). The shipping company had to transport the passengers to their homes.
Similar problems abound at the Vanua Levu end. Anyone wishing to travel to Viti Levu has to first apply to the Transport ministry for a registration number which is then taken to the Commissioner Northern’s office for clearance. A justification for travel is required.
Then they go to the Health Ministry for a swab test. And then back to the Commissioner’s office for a pass.
Even then, travel is not guaranteed because the Commissioner’s office controls the number of people that can travel at any one time.
For instance, the only shipping company currently operating, Inter Link, is allowed to carry only 40-45 people.
On arrival at Nabouwalu all passengers, even those residing in Bua, are first taken by the Health Authorities to Labasa and then dropped off at their homes for self-isolation.
“It takes several days to get a travel clearance. People are being pushed from pillar to post, often forced to go through four or five rounds of swabbing over as many days and made to travel over long distances from one government department to another.
“This is yet another instance of this government’s gross indifference and insensitivity to people’s needs. Before announcing the opening of travel between the two islands, it should have streamlined the process so that travel passes are issued without much inconvenience,” Mr Chaudhry said.
The Labour Party has received numerous complaints from travellers caught at both ends.
“We are dealing here with people who have been stranded from their homes for months now. They are anxious to return to their families but are being unnecessarily delayed because of government red tape,” said Mr Chaudhry
Our information is that more than 7000 residents of Vanua Levu are still stranded in Viti Levu while about 4000 from Viti Levu are stuck in Vanua Levu.
The Commissioner Central’s office is responsible for issuing passes from this end. It is, reportedly, imposing strict control on how many can travel at any one time. Even those with confirmed flights, are refused travel.
One complainant said his wife and daughter, stranded in Suva since the April lockdown, have had to undergo swabs four times in two weeks. They had confirmed bookings to travel on Thursday, for the third time, but were again refused a pass by the Commissioner’s Office which claimed the flight was full.
There is the further inconvenience of getting swabbed at a medical facility in Suva and then travelling all the way to the Commissioner’s office in Nausori to get a travel clearance.
“Why are people being put to such inconvenience? Why isn’t an office being opened somewhere in Suva for those wishing to obtain a pass? I am just flabbergasted at government’s lack of concern for the people,” said Mr Chaudhry.
“We are reliably informed that 35 passengers with proper clearances, about to board the ferry at the Natovi Landing last Monday, were stopped from travelling by the Commissioner’s office. By the time they returned to Suva, it was past curfew time (11pm). The shipping company had to transport the passengers to their homes.
Similar problems abound at the Vanua Levu end. Anyone wishing to travel to Viti Levu has to first apply to the Transport ministry for a registration number which is then taken to the Commissioner Northern’s office for clearance. A justification for travel is required.
Then they go to the Health Ministry for a swab test. And then back to the Commissioner’s office for a pass.
Even then, travel is not guaranteed because the Commissioner’s office controls the number of people that can travel at any one time.
For instance, the only shipping company currently operating, Inter Link, is allowed to carry only 40-45 people.
On arrival at Nabouwalu all passengers, even those residing in Bua, are first taken by the Health Authorities to Labasa and then dropped off at their homes for self-isolation.
