Maintenance dredging at the Denarau Marina channel is overdue, according to Cynthia Rasch, the chief executive officer of Port Denarau Marina. She expressed her enthusiasm regarding the government’s recent funding allocation.
During the last parliamentary session, Finance Minister Biman Prasad announced that $5.5 million had been allocated for dredging works aimed at mitigating flooding and strengthening infrastructure at Denarau, emphasizing the importance of such efforts to the tourism economy.
The Denarau Marina channel has not undergone dredging since 2012 and has been a persistent topic among the Ministry of Tourism and Waterways. Rasch highlighted the marina’s commitment to development, stating it is crucial for maintaining a safe and accessible hub for vessels, which is essential for the tourism sector, a key part of Fiji’s economy.
Port Denarau Marina is currently awaiting the final approval of its dredging license from the Solicitor General’s office. Rasch mentioned that once approval is received, a press release will be issued to outline future plans for the marina.
The marina remains committed to economic growth while also being conscious of environmental stewardship and community service. However, Minister for Rural & Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka noted that the dredging project is still under consideration.
Ditoka stated that technical assessments are ongoing to determine the specifics of the dredging process, but he expressed gratitude that funding is in place to move forward. He emphasized the importance of government support for the tourism sector, which is interlinked with the marina’s operations, particularly for different classes of vessels needing safe access to berths.
He acknowledged that the dredging would alleviate some flooding issues in the area, especially for communities affected by soil erosion, like Yavusania Village.
Additionally, he confirmed plans to dredge the Nadi Riverbank alongside Malolo, taking care to study the potential impacts carefully, particularly concerning saltwater intrusion in certain areas of Fiji affected by past dredging activities. He assured that the goal is to proceed cautiously to avoid creating further issues.