$259.4M allocated for WAF to operate and invest sustainably

$259.4 million is allocated to the Water Authority of Fiji in the next budget where it receives about one-tenth of the income it needs to operate and invest sustainably.

Professor Biman Prasad says in the last 10 years, WAF has been dependent on Government grants which are only made known to it every six months and this makes it impossible to plan large expenditure or to borrow money for investment, except through the Government with the support of bilateral funders such as the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.

He says for water supply boreholes they are embarking on a major project to provide around 1,700 boreholes across the country - 1,000 in Viti Levu, 500 in Vanua Levu and 200 in our maritime islands.

The Deputy Prime Minister says this project will be undertaken in phases and today they are allocating $5.7 million to the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources and a task force will be established in partnership with the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Water Authority of Fiji, the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Finance.

He further says $2.7 million is allocated to the Drainage Board to maintain existing drainage systems and enhance water management practices.

Professor Prasad says $16.7 million to the Ministry of Waterways capital budget and $5.5 million to the Ministry of Sugar for drainage works.

He adds for all major rivers and in-land drainage systems, the Government will purchase specialized drainage and heavy-duty dredging equipment to undertake regular works on all inland drains, waterways, and major rivers throughout the year in the Central, Western and Northern Divisions and $1.5 million is provided for this project. Professor Prasad adds they have also allocated $2.8 million for protecting river banks and $1.2 million for managing watersheds.

The Fiji Roads Authority is allocated $354.8 million for the ongoing construction and maintenance of roads, upgrading and replacement of bridges and jetties and the upgrading of rural roads.

He says they are also undertaking a major national study on urban traffic particularly traffic between Nadi and Lautoka, Lami, Suva and Nausori corridor in conjunction with our development partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the Ministry has been allocated $5 million for the maintenance and upgrade of rural roads.

The Minister for Finance says the Government has also re-established the Public Works Department with increased funding of $8 million and the PWD will be gradually expanded over the years and will focus on rural roads and public buildings.

The Ministry of Public Works has been allocated with $721.4 million.