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Lautoka City Council Converts Some Public Amenities

The Lautoka City Council has converted some public amenities within the city to make it more accessible for people living with disabilities.

Speaking at an event in Lautoka, Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohammed Anees Khan said the needs of people living with disabilities need to be accommodated in municipal council facilities.

“The LCC has been improving various parts of the city and the Council facilities in order to include wheelchair ramps, disabled-friendly toilets and also disabled-friendly carpark space as well,” he said.

Mr. Khan said, these basic amenities had greatly aided the disabled community access the Council’s public facilities more efficiently.

In 2020, we have made provisions for a disabled-friendly bus bay at the Lautoka bus stand which was in collaboration with the Lautoka School for Special Education (LSSE), the first in Fiji.

“The bus bay is now used by other special schools as well,”

He said they would continue to endeavour in order to create disability inclusive workplaces and services.

“The LCC scrutinises the building plans and building applications submitted for them for approval and we check weather wheelchair ramp access is also in the plan or not,” Mr. Khan added.

He said the wheel chair and the other mobility equipment that were provided would help the beneficiaries better access the Council’s facilities and services with more ease and comfort.

Former Fiji citizens give wheelchairs, mobility equipment

A group of former Fiji citizens living in New Zealand gave $11,000 worth of wheelchairs and other mobility equipment that was handed over to the Western Disability Centre in Lautoka last Friday.

The handing over ceremony was facilitated by the Western Disabled People’s Association to the NGO The equipment included 50 wheelchairs.

Association trustee Selwa Nandan said the equipment would help empower people living with disabilities.

He said they were donated by a group of former Fiji citizens residing in New Zealand.

He said people living with disabilities should also enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by other people.

“There were so many members who have been waiting for years for the type of mobility equipment that we are handing over today (Friday),” Mr Nandan said.

“There are so many people in the country whose legs have been amputated and they have no movement at all.

“The idea is to provide them with some form of support as it is very depressing for any disabled person to be confined at one place all the time.”