FRA has the plan and money to fix bad roads - Prasad

Fiji Roads Authority’s Acting CEO, Kamal Prasad says they have a plan to fix the bad road conditions around the country, particularly in the greater Suva area where a number of roads are in a deplorable condition.

It has been noticed that roads in Samabula, Flagstaff, Nabua, Raiwaqa, Toorak, Nasinu and sections of Kings and Queens Road have increased number of potholes and need urgent maintenance.

Prasad says they used to have only one contractor looking after the roads in the greater Suva area and have now brought in five more contractors to re-build a number of roads.

He says they are not only patching pot-holes but re-building them.

Prasad says they are targeting the roads where the use per day is about 5,000 vehicles.

He says they have a lot of complaints from the Samabula area and one contractor is dedicated to fix roads there.

Prasad says complaints are also coming from motorists using the section between Veisari and Monfort Boys Town on Queens Road that tyres are getting punctured because of bad road conditions. He says one contractor is working on this section.

He says they have contractors at right locations including in Suva City where Pratt Street is currently undergoing major maintenance work.

Prasad says following works on Pratt Street, the contractor will move to Amy Street next week which will be re-sealed. He says the contractor will then do re-building work on Brown Street, Milverton Road and Grantham Road.

He says another team is at Ono Street and Kabara Street in Samabula and will move to Fulaga Street, Lakeba Street, Vunakece Road and Sukanaivalu Road.

Prasad says another contractor will soon start road maintenance work in Kinoya.

He adds one contractor is carrying out works on Kalokalo Crescent in Makoi.

China Railway Fifth Group, Dayals Quarries, Flame Tree Developments, Fairdeal Limited, Hiway Stabilizers and Hot Spring Limited are now doing road maintenance work in the greater Suva area.

He says the contractors are working day and night to get the roads back into good condition however it will take time as they cannot be fixing roads during rainy weather.

Prasad says the budget provided to the FRA is sufficient for all road upgrades.

The FRA Acting CEO says they expect about 1 and half kilometres of roads to be re-sealed every week on sections that are in bad condition.