FRA gets $387.6 million
PWD to be re-established to improve the state of rural roads

FRA gets $387.6 million

PWD to be re-established to improve the state of rural roads

By Alipate Narawa
01/07/2023
[Image: File Photo]

The Fiji Roads Authority is allocated a budget of $387.6 million while the coalition government has also re-established the Public Works Department (PWD) to improve the state of rural roads around the country with an initial setup cost of $5 million.

While delivering the 2023/2024 National Budget, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says they are going to change the approach towards the planning, construction and maintenance of our roads.

He says in the last eight years, a total of around $3.1 billion was spent by FRA without any strategic plan, without much priority and without proper costing.

Prof. Prasad further says this compromised the standard of infrastructure including roads and led to significant wastage of public funds.

He says they need to do more with less money.

The Deputy Prime Minister further says they need to improve the value for money as there has been a lot of wastage and funding of “novelty type” over designed expensive roads in Fiji.

He says the new FRA Board is fully in sync with this and they have been working closely with the Government to rethink some of the scoping and design works, rethink about the modalities of awarding road contracts, including closer monitoring and supervision of contractors.

The Finance Minister further says there is also a need to open up and encourage the participation of local contractors through direct contracting for smaller contracts.

Prof. Prasad further says major emphasis is being placed on the need to ensure adequate maintenance of Fiji’s road network and as such an increased allocation of $100.6 million is allocated for road maintenance, $42.0 million for completed maintenance and emergency works, $60 million is provided for the renewal and resurfacing of roads, $35.4 million is allocated for completion of the ongoing bridge projects, $18.3 million for the rural roads programme, $13.2 million for the upgrade of Queen Elizabeth Drive, and $82.2 million for the Transport Infrastructure.

He says the Investment Sector Project is financed through the Asian Development Bank and World Bank loans of US$100 million and US$50 million, respectively.

The Finance Minister further says the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Service and Transport is allocated a sum of $98.3 million.

2023-2023 Budget Coverage

2023-2024 Budget Address

Full Budget Coverage and Documents

FEATURE NEWS
Consumer Council raises red flag on Livegood, and calls on financial institutions and mobile wallet service providers to be vigilant
The Consumer Council of Fiji confirms they have engaged with the Anti-Scam Taskforce in relation to a possible scam that continues to be circulated on...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Rabuka demands answers over poor HFC Bank Stadium pitch
Following the Fiji Water Flying Fijians match, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the surface at the HFC Bank Stadium was clearly not fit for an ...
4 minutes ago

Nath questions rising crime and calls for better support for police officers
As the Fiji Police Force has been given increased funding in the 2025-2026 National Budget, Opposition MP Vijay Nath asks whether we need more ...
3 hours ago

Low-yield farmers may exit cane farming as focus shifts to scaling up middle-tier growers – Singh
For a sustainable sugar industry, farmers who produce less than 100 tonnes and show little potential for improvement may be moved out of cane farming ...
3 hours ago

$1.9 million allocated for completion of Lautoka Swimming Pool
$1.9 million has been allocated in the 2025/2026 National Budget for the completion of the long-awaited Lautoka Swimming Pool. The project was ...
4 hours ago

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum suffers stroke, bail variation hearing adjourned
The bail variation hearing for the former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been adjourned as he is suffering from a stroke and heart ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
9 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
12 days ago

TOP