Na Gone Marama na Tui Ba,
The Board Chairman,
CEO and Staff of Fiji Roads Authority
Representatives from MWH Global Management and Staff of Fairdeal Earthmoving Limited
CEO and Staff of Ba Town Council
Invited guests Ladies and Gentlemen
Cola Vina and good morning
I am delighted to be amongst you here today to officiate in this auspicious occasion in the commissioning of these two newly constructed crossings.
Bridges build worlds. Our modern Fiji is built on bridges to connect, to bring together people, communities, our produce, goods and services. Bridges across rivers and sea brings people together by providing ease of access to each other’s lives.
It provides opportunities and the platform to grow our economy here in Ba and nationally. We as Fijians of Ba must put to good use this bridge that now connects us to each other, that the Bainimarama Government has constructed for our community.
This Government investment of $2.6 million dollars in constructing these two new crossings will benefit approximately 2000 residents of Vutuni and the nearby villagers, plus countless others who need access to these areas. These two new crossings will support the harvesting and transporting of over 5,000 tons of sugarcane, boost vegetable and livestock farming in the area through improved connectivity.
Our 2013 Constitution has put aside divisive policies of the past to ensure that all Fijians have access and equal rights to government services - Ladies and Gentlemen. Whether you live in the remote villagers in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu or in our furthest maritime islands, it is the intention of the Bainimarama Government to extend to all Fijians much needed government services and access to a brighter economic future. The construction of these two new crossings connects people, resources and opportunities that we the people of Ba must utilize for our maximum benefit.
Enshrined in our 2013 Constitution is the rights for all Fijians to reasonable access to transportation. The commissioning of these two new crossings at Vutuni is another step to fulfill these provisions and is a testimony to a Government that will and can deliver. Two years ago, our Honorable Prime Minister also opened the Ba Moto Road and Ba Moto Bridge. This was another major government investment of $25.5 million dollars to enhance connectivity, to support economic activity and revitalize the sugar cane industry in the province of Ba. Our Honorable Prime at the commissioning of these two infrastructure projects expressed these same sentiments.
This capital project has been a long time coming for the people of Ba. Not too long ago, if we can recall the devastating floods of 2009, 2011 and 2012 plus the damage that tropical cyclone Evans brought upon the Western Division.
Many of our citizens living in this area of Ba were severely affected by the damage sustained on the two old crossings at Vutuni during this period. Similar experiences, I believe is shared by all Fijians living in the western division who witnessed firsthand the damages to what the weather patterns of today can bring upon our daily lives when connectivity is affected.
The bold decisions by the Bainimarama led Fiji First Government must be commended for the transformation that they have implemented in the infrastructure sector. The change is a testimony to the mission of the Bainimarama Government and its commitment to deliver.
Personally, as a resident of Ba, I know the importance of this project and am confident that it will deliver a host of opportunities to my fellow Fijians here in Ba – particularly, here in Vutuni and Korovatu. ,
Ladies and gentlemen, in a few weeks’ time we will witness yet another commissioning of a major infrastructure here in the western division, the opening of the Rakiraki Bridge. This $12 million dollar investment by Government will surely put a smile back on our road commuters both private and commercial plus easing the traffic flow into Rakiraki town.
My Ministry in particular - Infrastructure and Transport - are continuously challenged to improve the profile of the transportation framework in Fiji. More such crossings need to be constructed across Fiji and a whole lot more bridges that needs to be built apart from the road repairs and new road constructions.
Fiji’s portfolio of bridges and Irish crossings is over 1000. Our work made harder by the legacy from the past governments and their lack of investment in this area.
This is not the time to point fingers – but to point out opportunities for the future. The mammoth task ahead of us, means we have to work smarter and harder to ensure sustainable building, repairs and maintenance programs.
It is not going to be overnight, but we will deliver on a program where we build and we maintain sustainable infrastructure that is on par to international best practices, is safe and durable.
I take this opportunity this morning to acknowledge the work of CEO FRA and his staff plus the work of MWH engineers.
To the management and staff of Fairdeal Earthmoving Contractors Limited, well done, on the successful completion of this project.
Ladies and gentlemen in concluding this morning I wish to echo a challenge to the people of Ba, now that we have witnessed yet again another massive government infrastructure investment project being commissioning in our province. We must redouble our efforts to stimulate economy activity within our communities, within our villagers and towns to ensure we provide a return of investment to Government.
Ladies and Gentlemen it is with great pleasure that I officially declare the two crossings in Vutuni open.
VINAKA, DHANYA VAAD, SUKRIYA AND THANK YOU.
END.