A significant budget has been approved for the construction of Queen Elizabeth Drive in Nasese, Suva, despite concerns over inadequate evaluations, as highlighted by Minister for Public Works and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
An audit conducted from 2021 to 2023 revealed several irregularities, estimating contract variations between $300 and $400 million, which raised alarms for Ro Filipe. The renovation of Queen Elizabeth Drive, which was expected to take one year and six months, ultimately spanned almost four years and encountered major cost overruns. An investigation is currently ongoing regarding these developments.
When the project started in 2019, an allocation of $25 million was made. Ro Filipe expressed concern over the total expenditure, noting that the project was excessively costly, and that savings might have been possible. He highlighted that the funds could have been better utilized for other neglected sectors.
Atunaisa Nayago, the Chairman of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), explained that the expenditures reflected the project’s design and were overseen by a consultant. He noted that the road was constructed with enhanced resilience features, raising its elevation by one meter as part of a climate resilience initiative. Some delays resulted from these modifications, but all costs are reportedly recorded and audited.
Additionally, the project involves constructing a new bridge and extensive land reclamation, which might have environmental repercussions and implications for coastal resilience. Ro Filipe emphasized that all projects should undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other compliance checks before approval.
Concerns were also voiced regarding the process of awarding contracts and adherence to proper bidding procedures. Ro Filipe stressed the importance of effective monitoring of contract performance to ensure that projects remain within budget and specifications. Insufficient monitoring could lead to unnecessary cost variations.
Ro Filipe stated that lessons learned from this project will inform future policies and procedures, including contractor assessments and monitoring methods. He pointed out that the board had approved large variation amounts without sufficient assessment, some through expedited processes, which is now under investigation. This has prompted a review of internal procedures at the FRA to mitigate the risk of future costly errors.
Meanwhile, Nayago indicated that delays in construction were partly attributable to challenges in land acquisition for the project. The cost-related allegations are now being investigated by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).