CAPTION: FRA CEO Neil Cook. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
A revised strategy by the Fiji Roads Authority will enable the construction of better roads in the Northern Division.
The Fiji Roads Authority will now work closely with bus operators and government stakeholders to prioritise sites for road reconstructions in the division this year. A planned workshop with North bus operators in Labasa on Tuesday June 11, 2013 will discuss the way forward in addressing this issue.
FRA chief executive officer, Mr Neil Cook said the extremely poor condition of roads in Vanua Levu and Taveuni is an ongoing concern.
“After a comprehensive inspection of over 500km of unsealed roads we have established that on many roads in the north, traditional lower cost maintenance practices will not produce the outcomes needed and that we need to do a lot more substantial rebuilding work,” Mr Cook said.
Mr Cook said this will require reallocation of approximately $5million from existing budgets to begin reconstruction of around 40km of high priority unsealed roads in the North.
He said in order to stay within the approved budget, some deferral of other maintenance activities across the board will be required.
“This matter will be addressed with urgency,” Mr Cook said.
“While most people are aware that the whole of Fiji’s road network is in poor condition after years of neglect, the condition of roads in the North is considerably worse than initially thought.”
MINFO