Road clearing along roadsides on Efate and other islands will no longer involve communities due to lack of manpower.

The Public Works Department said many people have travelled overseas for work.

When VBTC News spoke with the Public Works Department, they said there is often a shortage of manpower to carry out the work.

Last year, communities on Efate were not heavily involved in roadside clearing work.

A community leader from North West Efate, Chief Felix Arier Kaloruk, said the work must continue for road safety.

He said the work should be done every two months.

“There is unfinished work by contractors, where one does it but does not do it well, so it comes back to the community. The first contractor already damaged the road, such as the drainage, and when it is handed back to the community they face difficulties. Maybe for the first cut the community only receives VT250,000, and for the second cut it will be another VT250,000.”

The Public Works Department said road clearing will take place soon as they work with contractors who will then involve locals.