The 1.5 million dollar Wailada road upgrading project will be a catalyst for other local towns and municipalities that will want to upgrade their roads says Urban Development Minister, Colonel Samuela Saumatua.
“Lessons learned from this pilot project will be applied to other thirteen (13) municipal roads planned throughout Fiji to be implemented by the end of this year which will include works in the western and northern division as well.
“Under the Central Coordinating Agency for Roads initiative “VALUE FOR MONEY” will be maximized.
Furthermore, “QUALITY” and “DURABLE’ roads are expected from contractors through the involvement of the Project Managers MWH (New Zealand Limited),” he said.
He said that rates received by Municipal Council to fund these capital works are deemed insufficient when taken in the context of the size of the municipal, the number of rate payers and the percentage (%) of rates collected per municipal.
“Data evidence shows that in Fiji, rate collection by municipals is low and this has a major bearing on the capital works budget for Municipal Council.
“As a result, deferred maintenance and upgrading of roads builds up and further deteriorates our road infrastructure,” he said.
He said a classic example of this is Wailada Industrial Subdivision road which is expected to change under the CCAR program.
Col. Saumatua assured stakeholders that CCAR initiative will also ease the burden of road funding on municipals and allow them to also channel funds to other priority areas.
“This in turn creates better living standards for us all.
“The CCAR business model focuses on streamlining project implementation, consolidation and improved partnership with the ultimate objective of delivering better and efficient road services to the people of Fiji,” he said.
Special Administrator Suva/Lami Mr. Chandra K. Umaria thanked the Government as Lami town is the first Municipal Council to receive such assistance through the CCAR.
Umaria said that the Road rehabilitation works is indicative of better economic growth for the township of Lami and will now also provide better road safety for motorist and pedestrians.
He also appealed to the business community to please ensure that the activities carried out will no way have a negative effect on the worthiness and the life span of the new roads.