The Coalition Government will continue to focus on improving essential services and infrastructure development, according to Minister for Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
After the 2024-2025 National Budget was approved by Parliament on Thursday, Ro Filipe stated that the ministry aims to enhance the standard of services, particularly the roads in rural and maritime areas.
Since taking office in 2022, Ro Filipe has had to address the cash-flow crisis and delayed road maintenance attributed to the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA). “We initially faced issues with FRA regarding funding and the exhaustion of funds mid-term through the budget,” he said.
Ro Filipe highlighted that efforts are underway to improve rural roads by collaborating closely with FRA and the Public Works Department (PWD). “We are bringing in more equipment and prioritizing work with the depots to enable better and more effective program maintenance,” he added.
He emphasized that development projects and the allocation of the $338.8 million budget to FRA will be closely monitored. The budget will support ongoing construction and maintenance of roads, upgrade and replacement of bridges and jetties, and the improvement of rural road access.
Additionally, $5 million has been allocated to PWD for maintaining and upgrading rural roads in Fiji. “Priorities will be set by the various divisions based on road deterioration and maintenance programs, and this will be closely monitored with FRA,” Ro Filipe said.