Rural communities, farmers and businesses have raised concerns over the severely deteriorated and dangerous condition of the essential highway connecting Seaqaqa to Nabouwalu and Seaqaqa to Savusavu, which has been described as the economic spinal cord of Vanua Levu.
The concerns were raised by Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj in a facebook post, where he called for immediate emergency intervention, saying large sections have become virtually impassable for smaller vehicles.
He says that people and public transport operators are facing deep, axle-breaking potholes and structural pavement failures.
He also raised concerns about public safety, economic impacts and access to emergency healthcare, saying the condition of the highway poses risks to families and is causing delays to ambulances and emergency medical transfers.
Following the concerns raised, fijivillage News sent questions to the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) regarding the condition of the roads, maintenance works, inspections and funding.
In response, FRA says most identified faults and defects have been assessed, prioritised and programmed under the 2025–2026 Road Maintenance and Renewal Programme.
It says the Seaqaqa-Dreketi section is included in planned maintenance and renewal works, while a resealing programme is being progressed for the Dreketi-Nabouwalu section, with contractor quotations currently under evaluation.
FRA adds that, in the meantime, routine maintenance, including pothole patching, is ongoing to ensure the road remains safe and accessible for all road users until permanent rehabilitation works commence.
On whether it is aware of potholes, pavement failures and erosion, FRA says it is aware of the concerns regarding the condition of the road and that maintenance works are currently underway, with favourable weather conditions now allowing teams to carry out repairs more effectively.
The Authority says routine maintenance works over the past year have included drainage cleaning, pothole patching, mowing, rip-and-remake works, as well as responses to incident-related events.
FRA says the works are ongoing and form part of its Forward Works Programme, which includes road renewal and resealing works, structural repairs, road signs and markers, bridge maintenance, streetlight maintenance and bus shelter improvements.
Regarding concerns that deteriorating road conditions may be affecting ambulance services and emergency medical transfers, FRA says it is concerned about any road conditions that may affect emergency services.
FRA says temporary warning signs and make-safe measures, including pothole patching, are being implemented where required, while some permanent repairs have been delayed by unfavourable weather conditions.
FRA also confirmed that it is seeking additional funding to support planned maintenance and renewal programmes, while separate emergency funding provisions remain in place for urgent repair works.
