The government has initiated its first step toward equipping the Ministry of Public Works with necessary machinery by publishing a tender for the procurement of heavy equipment for the Department of Works (DOW).
This tender indicates that the DOW, part of the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, now has the mandate to build and maintain rural and maritime roads throughout the country, aiming to improve access for rural communities.
The DOW is seeking to acquire three medium excavators, three large single drum rollers, three backhoe wheel loaders, and one 10-wheeler hoist truck. These machines will be deployed across four divisions — Central, Eastern, Western, and Northern — to facilitate the construction and upkeep of rural roads nationwide.
According to the tender, many villages and communities currently lack road access to the nearest economic centers. The three divisions have identified 600 households, comprising a population of 5,000, that will benefit from improved road infrastructure through this project.
Specific road projects include those in Cakaudrove, with three projects totaling 4.9 kilometers; Bua, featuring four road projects covering 5.3 kilometers; and Macuata, which will see five road projects extending 13.6 kilometers.
Additionally, work will take place in Tailevu province to the upper Naitasiri area, which will involve one settlement access road, two foot crossings in Gau, and ongoing maintenance of three rural roads covering a combined distance of 17.7 kilometers. Finally, road maintenance and construction will also occur from Rakiraki to Navosa, spanning 18.57 kilometers.