Government wants improved roads for better accessibility for its people and economic growth through better management of funds allocated for this vital infrastructure.
Permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Pio Tikoduadua, yesterday opened the Fiji branch office of the MWH Global, a consultancy firm that will work with Fiji Road’s Authority on improving the condition of roads in Fiji.
Mr Tikoduadua said that by engaging the services of MWH, not only will the road infrastructure improve significantly but the knowledge, skills and training imparted to the local people will be a boost in addressing the condition of roads in the country.
“It is a well-known fact that the roads, bridges and jetties conditions around the nations have been deteriorating mainly due to neglect for the past 10 years, funding constraints, corrupt practices and various attempt to improve the road infrastructure resulted in failures,” he pointed out.
“As a result, this Government is committed and has stepped forward to bring in dramatic changes in the roading infrastructure, nationwide.”
Mr Tikoduadua said MWH was a multinational company with vast expertise in infrastructure development around the globe therefore the expectation was that Fiji would be meeting international standards.
Furthermore, he said the consultancy will bring efficiency and effectiveness to Fiji’s road network and support the FRA in developing an efficient and effective asset management system.
“More importantly, we are expecting to have better accountability for the funding this Government will provide to the Fiji Roads Authority and gain value for money from efficient utilisation of the funds allocated and see significant reduction in the “other road costs” that is borne by the road users,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
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