The Public Works Department (PWD) has evolved into a significant legal entity under the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, playing a crucial role in improving road infrastructure across Fiji. Recently, heavy machinery marked with “PWD” has been dispatched to areas in urgent need of new access roads and upgrades to existing routes.
Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau has emphasized the dire state of many rural and maritime roads, noting that these concerns were often neglected by previous administrations. Roads not included in the Fiji Roads Authority’s (FRA) inventory were deemed non-FRA roads and missed out on routine maintenance, leaving them in poor condition.
However, the new Coalition Government is committed to addressing these inadequacies by reinstating PWD to ensure comprehensive road maintenance. The government has invested in road construction machinery, which is now stationed at divisional depots in Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa.
Currently, PWD is actively working on multiple road projects in areas such as Nasereilagi, Nalidi, Roma in Ra, Naisogo in Naitasiri, Nasealevu in Macuata, and Vanuabalavu in Lau. This initiative promises to revitalize neglected areas and enhance accessibility for residents, indicating a positive shift toward improving Fiji’s infrastructure and overall community welfare.
In summary, the PWD’s newfound role highlights the government’s commitment to addressing road conditions that have suffered from years of neglect, paving the way for better transport and economic opportunities throughout the nation. With these efforts, hopes are high for improved connectivity and development in underserved regions.
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