A GROUP of youths within the South road continues to ignore calls by police to stop setting up road blocks and demanding money from vehicles travelling through the area.
Reports reaching this paper stated that a group of young boys have over the past two weeks set up road blocks near Magi Village, demanding each vehicle to pay $100 before being allowed to pass through.
When the Solomon Star visited the group of teens to ask them why such road blocks have been set up, they said that they were doing road maintenance by filling up pot holes on the road and also digging up the drains near the road.
“We have used our time and resources in order to fix this deteriorating road condition which both the provincial and national governments have failed to address.
“We are doing this for the good of vehicle owners travelling this road.
“Therefore to make up for our time and effort, we put up a fee of $100 that all vehicles must pay before passing this area,” one of the lads said.
But Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Alfred Uiga said that such road blocks are illegal and called for a stop by those responsible.
“There is no legal document declaring that these youths are contracted to mend the roads and therefore giving them the right to set up road blocks in the public road.
“These youths have been warned to put an end to this idea that they will mend the roads and demand fees from vehicles,” he said.
Mr Uiga again called on all youths to refrain from setting up roadblocks in the province as this is against the laws.
Hea added that those caught in the act will face the full force of the law.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
In Auki
