Families in the villages of Waikete, Vunivaivai and Naitalasese in Tailevu are hoping for action by Goodman Fielder International (Fiji) Pte Ltd over a poultry farm.
Families have continued to raise the issue with the company and Government stakeholders on the health impacts of an infestation of flies.
Resident, Iosefo Naduva, said: “During the day and throughout the night, flies continue to swamp homes that has caused them to live uncomfortably in our homes and villages in and around these areas.
“The issue that we are facing here is that we are close to the poultry farm.
“They harvest their chicken, they used to clean their chicken houses and when they stopped, we started to face this issue.
“We are asking the company to deal with this problem in providing the screens for the houses in order to keep the flies from the homes or repellents to keep the flies away.”
Iosefo Naduva at his family home in
Nakelo on April 19, 2020.
Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
He added his family have begun to hang mosquito nets on all their doorways and windows.
“We have asked the company to clean up their mess,” he said.
Shop owner, Nilesh Kumar said his nine-month-old baby was taken to the hospital on Saturday because their family continue to spray his home with mortein due to the infestation.
“This is really upsetting as this is the case that we have to deal with. We are calling on relevant authorities to look into this issue,” Mr Kumar said.
Queries were sent to Goodman Fielder but no response received when this edition went to press last night.
Also, attempts to get comments from the farm manager at the site in Vunivaivai were unsuccessful.
It is understood that the Assistant Minister for Health is aware of these claims and will look into the matter.
Attempts to get information from the ministry were unsuccessful yesterday.
Edited by Maraia Vula
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