$4.2 million allocated by Govt since 2018 for the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project

Since the 2018-2019 financial year, the Fijian government has spent around $4.2 million for the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project.

This has been confirmed in parliament by Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

He says they had allocated $3 million in the 2021-2022 National Budget for the project and $1.8 million has already been utilised for the release of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Sayed-Khaiyum adds the Japanese Government has agreed to support the first part of the project by way of a grant of $46.9 million.

The first part of the project involves the construction of surrounding dykes or building a wall around Nadi Town to prevent flooding.

It also involves improving the drainage.

In a supplementary question, NFP MP Lenora Qereqeretabua asked why the Government was not serious about the project in 2020.

In response, Sayed-Khaiyum says work could not continue at the time because there were lockdowns because of COVID-19.