The $300 million Vanua Levu Road Upgrade Project funded by a grant from the Chinese Government is expected to start in 2025 and is expected to be completed in about two years.
This has been highlighted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in his ministerial statement where he says the project will facilitate better access to health facilities for those in the districts of Vaturova, Korolau, Wailevu, Solevu, Vuya and Nabouwalu; with a population of approximately 10,000.
Rabuka says this project will improve part of the Nabouwau-Makolei Road in Bua, Natewa West Coast, Nabalebale, Naviavia and Dawaru Roads in Cakaudrove.
He says the roads being updated are still unpaved gravel that connects rural village roads and need to be paved.
While responding to Rabuka’s statement, FijiFirst MP, Jone Usamate says he is glad to see that the project will have an impact in various parts of Vanua Levu.
He says these places have a very good agricultural site and the project will allow production to increase and people to have good access to markets, schools and health facilities.
However, Usamate says the government needs to take note of some major issues on roads in Vanua Levu including a road from Nayarabale to Vanuavou that once done will open up a lot of economic opportunities.
He says the road from Sevaci to Korotasere and Namuavoivoi to Daria Road that cuts across from the south end of Vanua Levu and links to Labasa needs to be upgraded.
Usamate says they also need to update the Namuavoivoi to Daria Road which has splash crossings, and a lot of people use this road to get to Labasa faster.
He adds he has never seen the Hibiscus Highway in the state that it is in now and knows that there is a project planned for it and hopes it is ripped and remade as it is critical for tourism.
The MP also thanked the People’s Republic of China for assisting us as they have been a good friend to Fiji through thick and thin and when others were not beside us, they were there to help us along during the years.
