Govt to bring back and modernise PWD
Fiji’s new coalition Government will look at bringing back and modernising the Public Works Department (PWD).
Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau said this was one of their objectives within 100 days of taking office.
Government will be reorganising Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) as PWD which existed before.
PWD was abolished in 2008 after the FijiFirst government split the organisation into three specialist areas - roads, water and construction.
Ro Filipe said the modernisation of the organisation was to ensure the construction and maintenance undertaken were done in a more efficient and effective way.
“We will look at more realistic and cost effective infrastructure developments and maintenance,” Ro Filipe said.
“We will provide the organisation appropriate equipment to undertake construction and maintenance of rural roads and jetties.
“This is also to ensure we undertake construction and maintenance of major roads and facilities with greater efficiency using more durable materials and least cost methods,” he said.
He assured that FRA staff welfare would be taken into account when the change would take place.
“The permanent secretary and director will brief me tomorrow (today) from where I will have a better idea on how to progress with our plans as we explained in our manifesto.
“Our Government is a caring government and whatever plans and implementation as far as Fiji Road Authority or any entity is concerned, staff welfare will be taken into account,” he said.
He said everything would be carefully assessed and considered before any further decisions were made.