A substantial amount of funding has been allotted for the development of Queen Elizabeth Drive in Nasese, Suva, despite assertions that a proper assessment was lacking, as revealed by the Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
“An audit carried out between 2021 and 2023 showed various irregularities. The report estimated contract variations to be between $300 to $400 million, which raises concerns,” Ro Filipe stated.
The renovation of Queen Elizabeth Drive took nearly four years to finish, far exceeding its initial projection of one year and six months. Additionally, the project experienced significant cost overruns, prompting ongoing investigations, as confirmed by Minister Ro Filipe.
Initially, $25 million was designated for the project back in 2019. Ro Filipe expressed alarm over the total expenses, asserting that the work could potentially have been completed for a lesser amount. “It’s troubling that such a large expenditure could have been allocated to other underserved areas,” he added.
The Chairman of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), Atunaisa Nayago, noted that the project adhered to its design specifications and was managed through a consultant. “The road was constructed using resilient infrastructure, raised by one meter above its original level in line with a climate resilience initiative. Some delays may have resulted from this adjustment; however, all costs are documented and audited,” Nayago explained.
The project features the construction of a new bridge and land reclamation that extends approximately 200 meters in length and 34 meters in width, which may necessitate environmental considerations and implications for coastal resilience.
According to Ro Filipe, all projects typically require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and compliance with other requirements before progressing.
Concerns were also raised surrounding the contract awarding process and whether sufficient bidding protocols were adhered to. Ro Filipe stressed that thorough monitoring of contract performance is crucial for the successful execution of major projects. “Proper oversight is essential to maintain adherence to the contract’s budget and specifications. Insufficient monitoring can lead to cost variations,” he stated.
He added that insights gathered from this project would influence future policies, procedures, and compliance measures, including tendering, contractor evaluations, and contract oversight.
“There were instances where the board approved significant variations without adequate assessments, such as through expedited approvals. This is currently under investigation. These findings have led to a review and restructuring of internal processes at the Fiji Roads Authority to avert future expensive errors,” Ro Filipe explained.
Additionally, FRA Executive Chairman Nayago acknowledged that some delays in construction stemmed from challenges related to land acquisition for the project.
The investigation into the cost allegations is currently being handled by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).