POOR infrastructure in Fiji was the result of improper planning and funding constraints, according to Investment Fiji chairwoman Jenny Seeto.
Speaking during the panel discussion on ‘Shaping the future – Opportunities in Infrastructure’ at the Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Councils Joint Forum at the Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday, Ms Seeto said there was a need for the Fijian Government to get its priorities right.
“They (infrastructure issues) are quite complex, and it’s all to do with money and budget, what is available and what our priorities are.
“But I think it’s certainly a lot of savings we can make amongst the different ministries, and we just have to, I think, put our mind to it and have the political will to invest in these projects,” Ms Seeto said.
“Recently, we were told by water (Water Authority of Fiji) that some of the projects we want to bring online, they may not be able to supply water to those projects.
“So again, I think it’s all about the political will and how we can get our friendly neighbours under the ‘Vuvale’, or whatever relationships, between Fiji, Australia, or China.”
She said one of the challenges faced by investors was that they were being asked to invest in roads themselves in whichever area they’re developing.
“So, we have a project, for example. Someone who will do a subdivision and of course, in a subdivision, you’ve got to build the roads. But now they’ve been asked to build roads outside and other buildings as well, they’ve been asked to develop roads around, not quite where they necessarily are.
“So, these are some of the things that we go to government and talk about, and we’ve managed to get FRA (Fiji Roads Authority) to change its stance on particular things.”
Ms Seeto said there was a need for government to re-look as to how it spends money, what it prioritises, and which sector has been attractive.
