With support from the Australian Government, the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has launched its first-ever Strategic Plan, establishing a new vision for a well-maintained and resilient national network of roads, bridges and jetties that will contribute to Fiji’s economic and social development. The Plan also outlines the FRA’s medium-term goals and objectives for achieving this new vision and covers the financial years 2024-25 – 2028-29.
Support for the drafting and launch of the FRA’s Strategic Plan forms part of Australia’s broader investment in Fiji’s transport infrastructure sector. The Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) has invested FJD111 million in Fiji’s transport infrastructure, enhancing road and bridge resilience across Viti Levu. The financing has already resurfaced 1.5 million square meters of road and restored eight of nine planned critical bridges, improving land transport connectivity across Viti Levu.
AIFFP’s approach has prioritised supporting local employment across its projects. All road resurfacing contracts financed through AIFFP projects with FRA are held by locally registered contractors, and more than 1,000 local jobs are expected to have been created as a result.
In addition to financing physical infrastructure, Australia’s investment is also providing institutional support to FRA to improve road maintenance procedures, including the Strategic Plan, improved OH&S practices, and the development of a training module for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment for the workplace. The FRA is the first organisation in Fiji seeking to mandate industry recognised WHS certification for its road workers and contractors.
The Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, the Honourable Ro Filipe Tuisawau was joined by Australia’s acting High Commissioner to Fiji, Clair McNamara, and Head of the AIFFP, Mr Jonathan Kenna, to launch the Strategic Plan on 28 August 2024 in Suva, Fiji.
In addition to financing physical infrastructure and supporting delivery of the Strategic Plan, Australia’s investment is also providing institutional support to FRA to improve OH&S practices and develop a training module for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in the workplace.