The reinstallation of the Public Works Department (PWD) is aimed at curbing structural failures that leave Fijian roads vulnerable to minor weather events, according to Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
To bolster technical standards, the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has signed a formal agreement with an Australian Transport Quality Institute.
The partnership will deploy advanced diagnostic technology to evaluate road construction quality across the network.
Ro Filipe said structural changes were necessary to separate those building the network from those responsible for checking its safety and longevity.
“That needs to be done by an entity which is independent of road contractors,” he said.
“At the moment, that role is a bit mixed up, but now we are demarcating it as we move forward.”
Beyond major highways, the PWD is shifting its focus towards municipal and rural road networks.
Ro Filipe said teams were working alongside the Divisional Engineer West to systematically clear a backlog of access issues on village and rural roads, particularly in vulnerable routes in the Nagado area in Nadi.
