New 2-kilometre Access Road on Koro Island Set to Boost Livelihoods and Access to Services
A new two-kilometre access road on Koro Island is under construction to improve transport, reduce costs, and broaden access to essential services for residents of Nacamaki, Nabuna, and Vatulele villages. The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) says the project is part of its rural and maritime road development programme and, once finished, will connect more than 100 households and significantly cut travel times.
Nacamaki Village Turaga-ni-Koro Venasio Seru described the road as a major relief for farmers who transport staple crops such as dalo, cassava, kava, and yams to markets. “This road will bring a lot of relief to farmers who will use it daily to reach their farms and transport goods to markets,” he said.
Health services are also expected to benefit. Koro Health Center zone nurse Ateca Diveikulukulu pointed out that quicker access to medical facilities will improve emergency response times and overall patient care.
Transport costs for residents are forecast to drop from about $15 per trip to roughly $10 once the road is operational, according to Vatulele Village Turaga-ni-Koro Tomasi Sukanaivalu. The FRA emphasises that the project is designed to strengthen livelihoods, improve access to services, and deliver long-term benefits for Koro Island communities.
Context and broader impact
The island-driven initiative aligns with a wider Fiji-wide push to upgrade rural and outer-island connectivity. The FRA has previously rolled out significant improvements in other areas, such as tar-sealing a 2.4-kilometre stretch near Nakaikogo Primary School in Koronivia to improve access for residents, farmers, and students. Ongoing upgrades on Lakeba Island, including road rehabilitation and the restoration of jetty infrastructure, are part of the same national effort to boost safety, market access, and livelihoods in rural communities. Projects like the Namelimeli Road in Namosi and other rural road developments further illustrate the government’s commitment to connectivity as a driver of economic opportunity and resilient communities.
What this means for Koro residents
– Shorter, safer journeys for daily activities, school, health visits, and farming runs
– Lower transport costs that directly support household budgets and farmgate prices
– Faster access to health services and more reliable emergency response
– Improved opportunities for markets to buy and sell produce, supporting local livelihoods
Summary and outlook
The Koro Island road project highlights the FRA’s ongoing rural connectivity programme, which aims to unlock better access to education, healthcare, and markets across Fiji’s islands. By linking villages more efficiently and reducing costs, the new road is expected to bring tangible improvements to daily life and long-term prosperity for Koro’s communities, while contributing to a broader pattern of resilient, connected rural Fiji.
Additional notes
– The broader initiative includes parallel improvements such as road sealing, drainage upgrades, and jetty restorations in other communities, reinforcing a nationwide commitment to rural development and economic opportunity.
– Completion timing will depend on weather and on-going maintenance planning, as with other FRA projects in similar environments.
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