Projects and works undertaken by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) will continue without fail.
This, was assured following a meeting between FRA staff, management and the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
FRA chief executive officer Kamal Prasad said the FRA achieved physical work worth $35 million per month and carried our emergency response works worth $20m to $30m every year.
“There have been some speculations that FRA’s future is bleak, but it is business as usual,” he said.
There had also been rumours about the functioning of FRA as the People’s Alliance (PA) had promised to bring back the Public Works Department (PWD) in its manifesto.
“The minister has reassured the staff that their interest will be put first and that the FRA and the PWD can coexist and complement each other’s work.”
While acknowledging the work carried out by FRA thus far, Mr Tuisawau said infrastructure was needed for economic development.
“We also need to look at the needs of the poor, those that are in the lower rungs of society, their needs are very basic such as small roads or small bridges to enable them to have a livable standard of living,” he said.
“I would like to reassure you that in our manifesto, we have been saying that we will bring back Public Works Department (PWD), but that does not mean we will do away with the FRA.
“Whatever happens, the coalition Government will always put at the forefront the interest of the workers and for me as a minister, I will tread very carefully in moving forward.
“I will not just come in and make changes, we do things for a reason, especially to improve efficiency and effectiveness and what would be the most optimum way of doing things with our limited budget.”
Mr Tuisawau also passed along his thanks to donor partners and agencies for being on standby.
He also reassured staff that he would work closely with the permanent secretary and FRA CEO in terms of infrastructure development.
