Issue No: 688; 20 April 2001

The roadblock, erected at Korowiri outside Labasa town on Vanua Levu, resulted in commuters, mostly school children and workers, to be stranded at the site for over 2 hours. Interestingly most of the students stranded were ethnic Fijian students going to school. Some students were later transported to the school in police vehicles. The police removed the roadblock at 10am.

The traditional head of the villagers erecting the roadblock told the media that the roadblock was because of their dissatisfaction against the bus company servicing that area. He said that "his people" were "frustrated" over the condition of the buses and the services. He stated that his aim was to "get the proprietor of Dwarka Buses Limited to the village for important dialogue to resolve the problems and difficulties".

The police hit out at the villagers saying that it will "come down hard this time if anyone blocks a road". The Police Commander Northern, Samuela Matakibau told the media: "police will not tolerate such actions by anyone, no matter how serious and valid the demands are".

It has become a norm in Fiji for ethnic Fijian villagers to erect roadblocks whenever they feel like or wish to demand something from authorities. This trend began after the 1987 military coups when coup supporters, including military coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka, encouraged and supported roadblocks.

The breakdown in respect for property rights has now become the major disincentive for investment. Roadblocks and similar offences have seen numerous hotels and resorts being closed for various lengths of time. Some have even been burnt.