Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says that over the past 5-years, $1.12 billion has been allocated to the Water Authority of Fiji, of which $421.7 million was for operating expenditure and $705.1 million for capital expenditure.
Speaking at the Ideation workshop for Fiji's "Water Sector Strategy 2050", Professor Prasad says majority of the funds has been going towards the construction of the Viria Project which is expected to be completed soon.
He says in the 2022/2023 budget only $204.3 million was allocated to WAF, whereby $89.2 million was for operating expenditure and $150 million was for capital expenditure of which $60.3 million was for the Viria Project.
He adds over the years water and sanitation sector has been facing major challenges of maintaining and upgrading the existing infrastructure.
The Minster says the previous government has not spent an adequate amount of money or funds over the years on maintenance of Fiji’s infrastructure and as a result this government recognizes that they are on a catch up mode.
Professor Prasad says majority of Fiji’s infrastructure was built during the time when resilience to climate change was not probably on the minds of our people as it wasn't build to withstand the impact of climate change.
He adds public infrastructure is the foundation of any country's development and success and maintaining such assets in good condition is also critical.
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