Approximately $2 million has been made available to the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) to upgrade equipment for better and more accurate reading.
In Parliament last week, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the assistance was necessary given the important role FMS played during natural disasters.
Ro Filipe said about $2m had been allocated for upgrade of the Nausori radar, with $1.6m paid in the initial phase to purchase equipment.
He said the second phase of the project would include the $400,000 balance to purchase equipment. Ro Filipe said they were expecting the funds in the 2023-2024 National Budget.
In addition, he said about $674,000 was paid for the installation of the Nausori Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS).
About $300,000 was allocated for repair works on FMS’ Nabouwalu office through the construction of quarters expected to be completed by July this year.
Ro Filipe also said $150,000 was allocated to upgrade the Udu Point Meteorological Station.
