BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
PRACTISED by some members of the general public usually seen filling in potholes with soil purposely to request money from travelling vehicles is unlawful.
This is according to Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) through their media unit when responding to queries by Sunday Isles about concerns raised by public transport users describing the practice as ‘unlawful daylight fundraising’.
It has come to notice some that vehicle users encounter up to more than three times a week being requested to pay with money for going past main roads that certain members of the public have been filling up potholes with soil.
The practice usually occurs along the backway main roads of Honiara, in which public vehicle users explained too that at times, it is more than one time per day they have to give money because there is more than one group filling in potholes along the main road.
“Some may ask you $5 along Vura road while you will encounter the same scenario at Kobito and another at Green Valley or Zion. In the end, you will end up spending $15 or even more in just one day,” said a concerned vehicle owner.
“But then those certain youths demanding money for filling potholes are also on high alert for police. Once they see a police vehicle approaching. They are fast to escape.
We hope that the responsible authorities and the right government ministry will continue to improve our roads soon so that we do not continue to experience such unlawful activities.
According to RSIP, Public Roads are ‘declared roads’ and maintenance is the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID).
“It is a criminal offence for demanding money. The public roads declared roads and the maintenance of those roads is the sole responsibility of MID,” said RSIPF Media Unit.
