Capacity building aimed at enhancing customer service in the Northern Division has taken a significant step forward with the groundbreaking of the new Land Transport Authority (LTA) head office in Labasa. The ceremony, held on a Friday, was attended by the Minister for Transport and Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, who emphasized that this initiative is a critical government priority, expecting an investment of $7.2 million for the construction.
The new facility will include two office spaces and a weighbridge, with construction set to begin on June 3 and a completion target date of August 21 next year. Public Building Solutions (PBS) has been contracted for the project. This new LTA office is intended to act as the regional hub for transport services in the North, a role that has been long awaited due to the previous office’s destruction by fire in January 2014.
Minister Tuisawau highlighted the importance of decentralizing LTA services to improve service delivery and compliance with road regulations. Currently, the old Labasa office processes 5456 of the 18,228 monthly transactions in the division, and the new establishment is poised to handle even greater volumes, contributing to anticipated population growth and vehicle ownership rates.
With 40 staff members set to work at the new office, the expectation is that the efficiency of processing LTA-related transactions will significantly improve. This initiative aligns with previous developments, such as the openings of new LTA offices in Nadi to address rising traffic demands and improve public service delivery in the region.
The progress being made in Labasa offers an optimistic outlook for the community, as improved infrastructure not only enhances customer experience but also has the potential to stimulate local economic growth and contribute to the region’s overall development.
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