VILLAGERS of Tabulotu in Dreketi, Macuata, will have to wait at least another three months before work on a proposed access road begins to materialise.
The proposed 7.4 kilometre access road came into the spotlight after a photograph circulated on Facebook showing youths carrying an elderly villager on a makeshift wooden stretcher.
They walked for about seven kilometres because there was no proper road access to the village.
Rural and Maritime Development Minister Mosese Bulitavu said while assessment work had already begun, the project would first have to go through the necessary planning and approval processes.
“The budget takes effect in August, so implementation will begin after that,” he said.
Mr Bulitavu said the new access road would be funded in the 2026 to 2027 financial year.
“We will have to go through the required processes, but I expect that within two to three months we should have more progress. The proposed access road is about 7.4 kilometres long.”
The new financial year begins on August 1st.
He said he immediately directed ministry officials to investigate after seeing the social media post.
