Essential Services Providers to Elevate Delivery
With millions now allocated to Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) in the 2024-2025 national budget, Government expects these essential service providers to ‘work harder’ and up their service delivery.
Minister for Finance Biman Prasad highlighted this while speaking at the post-budget breakfast talanoa session hosted by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation at the Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday.
In the 2024-2025 national budget announced last Friday, WAF was allocated $259.4 million while FRA was allocated $354.8m.
“We also want to make sure that we invest in the infrastructure, whether its water,” Mr Prasad said.
“We are continuing with some of the reforms, as I outlined, not only in the civil service, but the reform of the public enterprises.”
Mr Prasad said it was about time essential service providers up their game to ensure that Fijians are well served.
He said this budget allows them to execute those responsibilities.
“Those responsible for providing utilities, whether it has to do with electricity, water, sewage and roads,” Mr Prasad said.
“These are essential infrastructure not just from the point of view of social infrastructure but also for businesses.
“We have provided appropriate allocations within the budget to ensure that.”
WAF
Under WAF, $123.6m is allocated for operating grant and $135.8m for capital grant to improve the nation’s water distribution network and wastewater management systems.
Capital Programmes includes:
Water Programme - $82.3m
Special Funded Programme $15m
Wastewater Programme $8.5m
Asset Management Programme - $8.5m
Rural Programme – $7.5m
Emergency Response Programme - $8.6m
Digital Transformation Programme - $5.4m
Under FRA, the $354.8m allocation is for the ongoing construction and maintenance of roads, upgrading and replacement of bridges and jetties, and the upgrading of rural roads.
FRA is also undertaking a major national study on urban traffic particularly traffic between Nadi and Lautoka, Lami, Suva, and Nausori corridors in conjunction with our development partners.
A sum of $5m is for the maintenance and upgrade of rural roads. The Government has also re-established the Public Works Department with increased funding of $8m.