Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is in the north, and the purpose of his trip is to show Fiji’s representative in Beijing, Ambassador Li Qiang, the road stretches that will be improved through the Chinese grant and also connect with local communities in the aftermath of the heavy rain.
While speaking to the media, Rabuka says the road upgrades are set to empower rural communities in Fiji, enhancing infrastructure and contributing to recovery efforts after recent flooding.
He says these improvements will not only boost connectivity but also create opportunities for local workers.
Rabuka says if there is a need to improve the number of local workers involved in the road upgrades, that can be understood by the People's Republic of China before they come.
He also says China’s Rural Empowerment Program is aimed at alleviating poverty one village at a time, and this aligns with Fiji’s goals for rural development.
Rabuka says in light of the recent flooding, they are also in the north to see how flooding has affected the people.
He says although some roads had been underwater, the water levels have receded, and normal traffic is now flowing again.
He adds that certain areas had been prepared for viable evacuation centres to support those impacted by the floods.
