The Fiji Roads Authority is raising serious concern over repeated acts of vandalism, damage to road infrastructure, and FRA assets that continue to disrupt connectivity, strain resources and affect communities across the country.
This follows two incidents where FRA infrastructure and heavy machinery were recently destroyed, resulting in costs of over $1.1 million.
FRA says in the first incident, the Waidamudamu Bridge, located along Nakorotari Road in Labasa was damaged by a fire, cutting off access along a vital road link and affecting residents, school students, and daily commuters who rely on the bridge for their daily travel.
FRA says they restored access by installing a new bridge deck at a cost of approximately $130,000.
They say while investigations into the incident are still ongoing by the Police, FRA remains deeply concerned about actions that undermine public infrastructure and the essential services it supports.
In another incident in Batinikama, Labasa in October last year, two heavy machinery belonging to an FRA contractor were involved in a fire incident, resulting in an estimated loss of around $1 million.
FRA says such acts not only impose financial losses on contractors but also delay the delivery of critical road works.
They says these disruptions ultimately affect the wider community, as delayed projects mean reduced access, compromised safety, and prolonged inconvenience for road users.
FRA says they are responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining Fiji’s road infrastructure network.
They say this extensive network includes around 6,371 kilometers of roads, 1,406 bridges, more than 13,606 streetlights, and 32 jetties nationwide.
The Authority says at the core of this infrastructure is the road network, which plays a vital role in supporting economic growth, social development, and national resilience.
FRA says roads are far more than strips of sealed pavement; they are lifelines that connect people and communities.
They stress roads enable the movement of goods between farms, markets, businesses, and ports, supporting both local livelihoods and international trade and also allow children to travel safely to school, workers to reach their jobs, and families to access healthcare facilities and essential services.
FRA says in rural and remote areas, reliable roads are especially critical, often serving as the only link between communities and opportunities for development.
The Authority highlights that without a dependable transport network, these vital connections become fragile.
They say children may struggle to reach schools, workers face difficulties commuting to their jobs, and farmers in rural areas often lack reliable access to markets to sell their produce.
FRA says communities experience isolation, businesses face higher operating costs, and overall national development is constrained.
They say this highlights why maintaining road infrastructure is a continuous and complex task, requiring careful planning, timely repairs, and strong public support.
FRA says they carry out routine maintenance to keep roads safe and functional, periodic maintenance to extend the life of assets, and emergency maintenance to restore access following unexpected events such as floods, landslides, or fires.
However, they say repeated acts of vandalism and damage to infrastructure and machinery significantly undermine these efforts.
They stress each incident increases costs, diverts resources, and delays scheduled maintenance programs.
FRA says funds that could be used to improve roads or enhance safety features are instead spent repairing damage caused by irresponsible actions.
They say in some cases, contractors face reduced capacity to continue works, and prolonged damage to their equipment may even lead them to withdraw from projects.
FRA says they also continue to encounter frequent damage to road signs, bridge railings, bus shelters and utility access chamber.
The Authority says these assets play a critical role in ensuring road safety, guiding drivers, and protecting pedestrians.
They say despite regular repairs and replacements carried out during routine maintenance, careless behavior and vandalism persist, creating safety risks for all road users and adding unnecessary costs.
The Authority stresses success of Fiji’s long-term development depends heavily on infrastructure that is reliable, resilient, and consistently available.
They say reliable infrastructure builds confidence, encouraging people and businesses to invest in their future and when roads are safe and accessible, communities thrive and economies grow.
FRA says protecting this infrastructure is not the responsibility of the Fiji Roads Authority alone as it requires a collective effort grounded in civic pride and shared responsibility, where every individual recognizes the value of public assets and plays a role in safeguarding them.
They say simple actions such as respecting road signs, avoiding damage to public property, and reporting suspicious or harmful behavior can make a significant difference in preserving connectivity and ensuring the safety of all road users.
FRA says they are committed to delivering infrastructure that enhances public transport accessibility and safety across the country.
The Authority is encouraging communities to take pride in these new facilities by keeping them clean and free from vandalism, ensuring they continue to benefit current and future users.
