A new two-kilometre access road on Koro Island is taking shape, promising faster trips, lower costs, and better access to essential services for residents of Nacamaki, Nabuna, and Vatulele villages. The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) says the rural and maritime road development project—still under construction—will connect more than 100 households and form a vital link for farmers, health workers, and families across the island.
Village leaders and health workers welcomed the project. Nacamaki Turaga-ni-Koro Venasio Seru described the road as a major relief for farmers who move staple crops such as dalo, cassava, kava, and yams to markets. Vatulele Turaga-ni-Koro Tomasi Sukanaivalu highlighted the financial relief from reduced travel distances, while Koro Health Center zone nurse Ateca Diveikulukulu said quicker access to medical facilities could improve emergency response times and patient care.
The FRA emphasizes that the road is more than infrastructure; it’s a lifeline designed to lift livelihoods, expand service access, and bring lasting benefits to Koro’s communities. As the project advances, residents anticipate tangible changes in daily life and local economies.
What the improvement means in practice
– Shorter, safer journeys for everyday activities, schooling, health visits, and farming runs.
– Direct savings on transport costs for households and farm goods.
– Faster access to health services and more reliable emergency response.
– Improved market opportunities for buying and selling produce, supporting local livelihoods.
Context and broader impact
The Koro Island road project is part of Fiji’s wider effort to upgrade rural and outer-island connectivity. The FRA has undertaken related improvements elsewhere, including tar-sealing of road sections near Koronivia to better serve residents and farmers, as well as ongoing upgrades on Lakeba Island and other rural communities. These initiatives collectively aim to boost safety, access to education and health services, market linkages, and long-term resilience for Fiji’s island populations.
Outlook
With completion influenced by weather and ongoing maintenance planning, the new road is expected to deliver immediate benefits in travel time, cost savings, and service access, while contributing to a stronger, more connected Koro Island. The project also reinforces a national trajectory toward rural development and economic opportunity through better infrastructure.
Additional notes
– The FRA’s rural connectivity program continues to expand across Fiji, with parallel improvements such as jetty maintenance and road sealing in other island communities, underscoring a sustained commitment to rural growth and resilience.
– By reducing the distance to farms, clinics, and markets, the road supports farmers’ ability to reach buyers quickly and efficiently, potentially improving farmgate prices and overall productivity.
Summary
A new two-kilometre road on Koro Island is set to shorten travel times, cut transport costs, and improve access to health, education, and markets for more than 100 households. Framed within Fiji’s broader push to strengthen rural connectivity, the project is expected to yield enduring benefits for local livelihoods and community resilience, with life-improving impacts already voiced by farmers and healthcare workers.
Positive note
The road represents a concrete step toward brighter, more connected futures for Koro’s communities, aligning with residents’ hopes for safer roads, quicker emergency responses, and better opportunities for local farmers and families.
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