A report in The Fiji Times on Tuesday, May 10, 1994, featured Minister for Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Information Ratu Josefa Dimuri talking about the progress of road projects in the Northern Division following a tour of the region’s roads that weekend.
The minister, who hailed from Naseikula Village in Labasa, praised aid donors and Public Works Department employees for their contribution towards improving the country’s infrastructure.
“Their contribution has been filtered down to the individual needs of the people,” Ratu Josefa said.
Among the projects that impressed him was the $2.2million World Bank-funded Savusavu/Labasa Trans-Insular Rd, which was then under construction.
Ratu Josefa said the completion of the project would significantly improve travel between the two towns.
“Once the work was completed, it would reduce travelling time for commuters by an hour. Labasa will be open to more tourists, and the upgraded road will serve as an asset towards expansion of the economies of Labasa and Savusavu.”
During his visit, Ratu Josefa also inspected work on Cogea Rd, which was being upgraded at the time. The previous week, he had visited Tukavesi and the Drekeniwai/Natewa road along the Natewa coastline.
The area held added significance, as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also came from Drekeniwai.
Divisional Engineer Northern Sanaila Bukasasa said that under the Fiji Road Upgrading Project (FRUP II), seven kilometres of road had already been tar sealed.
Mr Bukasasa said widening and elevation work on another 16 kilometres would continue, with the entire stretch expected to be completed early the following year. He said the road would become one of the most spectacular and well-designed roads in the country once completed.
