A substantial budget has been allocated for the development of Queen Elizabeth Drive in Nasese, Suva, despite concerns about inadequate assessments, as revealed by Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
Minister Tuisawau pointed out that an audit conducted from 2021 to 2023 uncovered some irregularities, estimating contract variations between $300 million to $400 million, which he deemed alarming. The renovation of Queen Elizabeth Drive, which initially was expected to take one year and six months, extended nearly four years and incurred significant cost overruns. An ongoing investigation has been confirmed by the minister.
The project was allocated $25 million when it began in 2019. Ro Filipe expressed concerns over the high total cost, suggesting it could have been executed for a lower amount, with funds possibly redirected toward other neglected areas.
Atunaisa Nayago, Chairman of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), clarified that costs were calculated as per the design and were overseen by a consultant. He mentioned that the road was built with climate resilience in mind, elevated by one meter above its original level, which may have contributed to some delays. Nayago assured that costs are documented and audited.
The project also includes building a new bridge and reclaiming land that stretches approximately 200 meters in length and 34 meters in width, which could have environmental implications and affect coastal resilience. Ro Filipe noted that usually, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and compliance checks are required before project initiation.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the contract award process and adherence to proper bidding protocols. Ro Filipe emphasized the importance of efficient oversight of contracts to ensure they remain on budget and meet specifications.
He pointed out that lessons learned from this project would be integrated into future policies, procedures, and compliance practices, especially in areas such as tendering and contractor evaluations. The minister indicated that there were instances of significant contract variations approved without thorough examination, particularly through rapid approvals, which are currently under investigation. These findings have prompted a review of internal processes at the FRA to avert future costly errors.
Additionally, Nayago acknowledged that delays were partly attributed to challenges in land acquisition for the project. The investigations into the cost disputes have now been handed over to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).