The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is in the process of hiring a contractor to rehabilitate jetties, with plans to complete the work by the year’s end. This announcement was made by Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau during the recent World Maritime Day 2024 celebration at Albert Park in Suva.
The minister emphasized the visible deterioration of maritime infrastructure across Fiji, noting concerns not only about the jetties but also about various ports. He stated, “We need to ensure that passengers are safe and comfortable and that basic amenities are available.”
Ro Filipe expressed his worries regarding passenger safety and travel ease, highlighting the government’s obligation to uphold safety standards. He called for greater collaboration with international partners to tackle these challenges.
He affirmed that the FRA, which manages the budget allocated for the jetties, is diligently working to finalize a contractor swiftly to address these urgent issues. “I’m insisting that it should be done this year so that we don’t continue facing this problem, as it is indeed the government’s duty to resolve it,” he commented.
Furthermore, he reiterated that addressing this matter requires not only strategic planning and budgeting but also significant engagement with international development partners for assistance.