Friday 11th July 2025, SUVA: Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services & Transport, Hon. Ro Filipe Tuisawau today reminded Ministry staff of the vital responsibility placed on the Ministry to deliver in the next financial year, 2025 - 2026.
Addressing senior officials and staff at the Ministry’s Planning Workshop, including WAF, FRA, MSAF, and LTA, Minister Tuisawau urged all departments and divisions under the ministry to work collaboratively in executing set plans and implementing the allocated budget within agreed timelines in the next financial year.
The primary objective of this workshop was to:
Ø Conduct a comprehensive review of the Ministry’s 2024/2025 budget performance, including both operational and capital expenditures;
Ø Identify key challenges and propose remedial measures to improve budget execution;
Ø Initiate the development of essential planning documents, namely the Strategic Development Plan and the Annual Costed Operational Plan; and
Ø Present updates on the 2024/2025 Budget Implementation and outline major initiatives for the 2025/2026 financial year.
While assessing the Ministry’s performance in the 2024/2025 financial year, Minister Tuisawau said the Ministry had utilised 93% of the total budget under Head 40, with the remaining 7% being a concern.
Important Clarification to the $50m Unutilised Reported in Media
Minister Tuisawau clarified that the $50M is not all unutilised as such. He clarified that $30M of this is with Statutory Authorities especially WAF and FRA which are rolled over for ongoing projects and commitments, while the balance included works done by PWD and other departments for other ministries and charged to those ministries. The ongoing PWD reform will resolve this. Part of the balance includes unreleased funds, so the actual ministry unutilised is approximately $9M, to be exact, for various reasons, including circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, and others, including inefficiencies or blockages within, which is what this workshop is working to resolve and not repeat for the 2025–26 budget. Minister Tuisawau said that this is also why the workshop is critical, as it will assist the Ministry in planning better for the next financial year and ensure inefficiencies and blockages don’t happen.
He commended the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, for the increase in the 2025/2026 budget which demonstrates continued support and confidence in the Ministry.
The proposed budget allocation stands at $800 million, representing an increase of $79 million, or 11%, compared to this financial year, 2024/2025.
“I urge all Heads of Departments to utilise this allocation judiciously, ensuring that all planned activities are executed efficiently and effectively. We must start now with documentation, etc., and not wait for actual fund disbursements,” Minister Tuisawau said.
He added that it is equally important to uphold principles of good governance, ensure timely delivery, and maintain high standards of quality in all outputs.
Minister Tuisawau reminded the staff of the functions and the important role that the Ministry plays in national development.
“We are at a critical juncture in our national development journey.
“The challenges we face—ranging from ageing infrastructure and population growth to urbanisation, climate change, and environmental degradation—require a renewed focus and a strategic approach to budget implementation.
“As the ministry responsible for the backbone of national infrastructure, the safety of our skies and seas, and the resilience of our communities through meteorological services, our role is central to Fiji’s development and security.
Minister Tuisawau concluded that execution and delivery on the ground are critical to not only enhance infrastructure development but also provide effective and efficient services to the people on the ground and have a real impact on improving the quality of life on a daily basis for all citizens.