Security at Government House will be strengthened once work on a new fence, which is four months ahead of schedule, is completed.
President’s Office official secretary Joeli Rokovada said the fencing project was initially estimated at about $2m and due to end by April 2011.
“Ahead of schedule we expect work to be completed by December,” Mr Rokovada said.
Running a distance of 2227.6 meters and scaling a height of 2.4 meters, the fence encloses Government House and Thurston Gardens.
“With the old fence we had problems of stray animals, especially dogs but this fence should keep them out,” Mr Rokovada said.
“It does give more security to Government House and boosts the image of splendor image that befits the highest office in the land.”
Meanwhile, the office has submitted a 2011 Budget request of about $3m for capital works to be undertaken in the new year.
These include the major structural upgrading works for Government House, repairs to the swimming pool and tennis and squash courts.
Drainage works for the waterlogged coronation grounds is also planned.
“We are trying to fix up the grounds so that state functions can be held there again,” Mr Rokovada said.
“For the time being we are doing some urgent maintenance to Government House - identifying where the major faults are and fixing them but the other major works are dependent on our budget submission outcome.”
A priority in the budget submission is the construction of another staff barrack to supplement the existing one where five families are being accommodated.
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