Two major bridges officially opened in Suva today and this is expected to ease traffic congestion.
While opening the two brand new bridges Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the opening of the Vatuwaqa and Stinson Parade bridges will bring relief to thousands of people.
Bainimarama says this is a major victory for Fiji because the economy has done well and based on that more can be done for the people of the country.
Bainimarama says the government is choosing on putting money into building infrastructure that lasts.
He says they are building for the future and there are no quick fixes.
Bainimarama says we all saw the consequences when taking shortcuts in development during Cyclone Winston as schools, homes and other buildings lacked proper planning and were not built to a higher standard in the past.
He says the government is overcoming all these challenges.
The Prime Minister has also thanked the Chinese government for being a steadfast development partner for Fiji since 2007.
The two projects were successfully completed through a $30 million grant from the Chinese government.
He also says that $70 million has been allocated to upgrade and expand roads and roundabouts in the Suva Nausori Lami corridor where nearly a third of the Fijian population live.
$9.5 million has been set aside to construct footpaths, $4.5 million to construct street lights in Wainibokasi, Vuci, Nadera, Nadawa, Davuilevu and Kalokalo Crescent while $31 million has been allocated to replace 16 critical bridges all over Fiji and another 30 bridges are planned to be replaced in the next 5 years.
