Operation Kadivuka delayed

03/05/2010

The start of Operation Kadivuka has been delayed to Wednesday 05/05. Chief of Operations Mr. Lemeki Ratucicivi said the cause in delay is because of the huge amount of purchase that needed to be made.
 
“The money arrived on Friday and there was insufficient time in the weekend for purchasing items. Our accounts officers would be back tomorrow and things should be rolling from Wednesday,” he said.
 
Mr. Ratucicivi said all personnel would be issued safety footwear while other items like reflector jackets will be issued later. Six vehicles from the departments of Lands, Forestry, FIMSA and the Office of the Agricultural Tribunal have been mobilized for the Operation.
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Operation Kadivuka officers at work. (Credit: Commissioner Western’s Office)
  
A total of six teams comprising eight officers each will be dispatched to affected areas around Lautoka. Each team will also include a Biosecurity Officer from the Department of Agriculture.
 
Areas identified to have been infested with the termites have been divided into zones. These include:
 
Zone 1 – Tomuka to Tavakubu (most infested)
Zone 2 – Natabua to Wairabetia Road (reports of infestation received)
Zone 3 – Naikabula to Drasa Dam Road (buffer zones/survey areas)
 
Officers will be briefed again tomorrow (Tuesday) by personnel from the Forum Secretariat on the Standard Operational Procedure (SOP). According to Mr. Ratucicivi, the SOP has been sighted and modified by its termite consultant and all processes involved will be approached in a scientific manner.
 
Complaints or queries on the termite infestation can be directed to the Operations Centre Hotline 6286198 or 6281553. The Operations Centre is based at the Commissioner Western Division’s office in Lautoka.