Maintenance dredging at the Denarau Marina channel has become a pressing need, according to Cynthia Rasch, the chief executive officer of Port Denarau Marina. Rasch expressed gratitude for the government’s allocated funding, highlighting its positive impact.
During a recent parliamentary session, Minister of Finance Biman Prasad confirmed that $5.5 million has been earmarked for dredging works aimed at mitigating flooding and enhancing infrastructure at Denarau, which is vital for the tourism sector. The last dredging of the Denarau Marina channel occurred in 2012 and has since been a focus of discussions among the Ministry of Tourism and Waterways.
Rasch stated, “Port Denarau Marina fully supports this development, as it aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure that the marina remains a safe and accessible hub for vessels, which is crucial for sustaining tourism, a key pillar of the Fijian economy.” She added that the marina is currently awaiting the final approval of its dredging license from the Solicitor General’s office.
“Looking ahead, we continuously seek ways to improve our facilities. Once we receive the dredging license approval, we will announce our plans for the marina,” Rasch mentioned. The marina and its shareholders are dedicated to promoting economic growth while also protecting the environment and aiding the community.
In a related statement, Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, noted that the dredging project is still under review. He emphasized the importance of ongoing studies to determine the exact locations for the dredging. Ditoka expressed appreciation for the allocated funds and affirmed that the project would support the tourism sector effectively.
He highlighted the issues faced by certain classes of vessels that could not access their designated berths due to inadequate depths, stating that dredging would rectify this and provide necessary relief while aligning with other flooding alleviation efforts.
Citing past flooding in the Nadi area, especially in places like Yavusania Village, Ditoka remarked on the community’s resilience stemming from their experiences with frequent floods. He confirmed plans to dredge the adjacent Nadi Riverbank near Malolo, ensuring a careful approach is taken to avoid potential saline intrusion caused by dredging activities in certain areas of Fiji.
“We need to be cautious to ensure that our efforts help rather than create additional problems,” he concluded.