In its first move to equip the Ministry of Public Works with its own machinery, a tender has been published to purchase heavy machinery for the Department of Works (DOW).

The Government tender states the DOW under the Ministry of Public Works and Meteorological Services, and Transport has been given the opportunity to construct and maintain the rural and maritime roads across the country for the betterment of rural communities.

The DOW is looking to purchase three medium excavators, three large single drum rollers, three backhoe wheel loaders, and one 10-wheeler hoist truck.

These machines will be stationed in the four divisions (Central, Eastern, Western, and Northern) to ensure that rural roads across the country are constructed and maintained.

“There are still a number of villages and communities that have no road access from their village to the nearest economic hub,” states the tender.

“The three divisions have benchmarked 600 households with a population of 5000 people to be assisted with better roads under this project.”

“These roads include Cakaudrove (three projects at 4.9km), Bua (four road projects at 5.3km), Macuata (five road projects at 13.6km).”

“Tailevu province to upper Naitasiri echelon, including one settlement access road, two-foot crossing in Gau, and three routine road maintenance with a total distance of 17.7km of rural roads to be constructed and maintained.”

“Rakiraki to Navosa with a distance of 18.57km of roads to be maintained and constructed.”