The Fiji Roads Authority says it’s not their responsibility to take on it’s proactive management of landslide zones that are in lands owned by others.

This comes after a landslide at the Gram Sangathan School at Buiduna, Nausori yesterday.

FRA’s Chief Executive Jonathan Moore says whilst they acknowledge their concerns and sympathize with them on the challenges they are facing, it’s important to understand that it’s the duty of the landowner to manage the land that contributed to the slide.

“Our team has made numerous site visits and we have done what we could in our capacity to keep the road access and we will do the utmost in ensuring minimal disruption to traffic and pedestrian movement.”

The school is on a seventy-five-year native lease from landowners in Verata Village and the authority to construct the road was given by former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

“We have requested the school manager to obtain the report from the Mineral Resources Department regarding the investigation on the vulnerability of the school during the rainy season and the continuous slipping of red clay from the compound.”

Moore says FRA had an obligation to clear the road for vehicles and pedestrians.

However, he adds the School Management must do whatever they can in their capacity to stop further slips by erecting retaining walls or have gabion structures on the hill.

”It is the responsibility of the FRA to maintain the roads in a safe and usable condition and we wish to reiterate that the FRA does not have any authority to carry out any work on leased or freehold land.”

He says the FRA is willing to provide relevant information and advice where it can and has such detail available, but the ultimate responsibility rests with the land-owner.