Former vice-chancellor of Fiji National University (FNU), Professor Nigel Healey, has shed light on the unsuccessful Naiyaca Campus initiative in Labasa, attributing its complications to various factors since its inception. Healey, who led FNU from 2016 to 2019, stated that the project, which has seen nearly $20 million spent while remaining only half-constructed, was fraught with challenges.
In his recent comments, Prof Healey detailed a multitude of problems that plagued the project since its announcement in 2015. These issues included the campus’s location in a flood-prone area, slow decision-making processes, financial struggles faced by the contractor, adverse weather conditions, and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prof Healey highlighted that the Labasa campus was intended to be a significant element of the former FijiFirst government’s strategy to revitalize the once-thriving city. He emphasized that, along with the development of the nearby Damodar City shopping complex, these infrastructure projects promised to generate employment opportunities and enhance access to higher education for youth in Vanua Levu.
The campus project was primarily funded through annual government capital grants and overseen by the Ministry of Economy’s Construction Implementation Unit (CIU). While the government allocated land for the campus, it was situated within the floodplain of the Labasa river. This necessitated extensive earthworks to ensure safe construction above flood levels, delaying the start of building works until 2018.
Moreover, frequent flooding on-site hampered construction efforts, while logistical challenges arose due to many contractors being based on Viti Levu. The Fiji Roads Authority’s indecision on access road specifications further hindered timely progress, ultimately leading to the termination of the main construction contract with Kartika Construction Plumbing Services Ltd in 2020 due to significant cash flow issues experienced by the contractor.
He noted that the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted government revenue, making it financially impossible for FNU to continue the project. Prof Healey actively participated in monthly project meetings with various stakeholders during his term, aiming to address the ongoing delays and complications in construction.
Despite these setbacks, the ambition behind the Naiyaca Campus project retains elements of hope. Once completed, the campus was intended to feature lecture theatres, computer labs, and administrative facilities tailored to meet the educational needs of individuals in the Northern Division.
Looking forward, while the project has faced disappointments and challenges, it represents a potential future opportunity that, if revived, could greatly benefit the education sector and local economy in Vanua Levu. The lessons learned from this experience could inform future infrastructure projects, ensuring that similar issues are addressed proactively. Enhancing collaboration between stakeholders and improving decision-making processes could pave the way for successful execution of future educational initiatives.
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