Team to conduct study on $300m road project

A TECHNICAL team from China will be in the country to conduct a feasibility study for the estimated $300million road upgrading project earmarked for parts of Vanua Levu.

A Government statement stated the team, led by Chinese ambassador Zhou Jian, visited Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to provide an overview on the proposed study.

The China Aid project will focus on the maintenance and upgrade of 80 kilometers of rural roads, including parts of the Natewa-West Coast and the NabalebaleNaviavia/Dawara roads in Cakaudrove, and part of the Nabouwalu-Makolei road in Bua.

The project will also facilitate future developments including tourism and renewable energy projects and hydro power projects on Vanua Levu.

Earlier this year Mr Rabuka and Ambassador Zhou formalised the exchange of notes for the project.

Mr Zhou said the project would begin following the feasibility study and would be the flagship project under China’s Global Development Initiative (BRI).

Mr Rabuka expressed Government’s appreciation to the Chinese government for its continued assistance, highlighting the benefits of the project, which will have a significant impact on the socioeconomic landscape for the people of Vanua Levu.

The 80km road upgrading project will see the construction of 22 bridges that will improve the lives of the residents of 61 communities as well as students and teachers in 15 schools.

The project will also improve access to medical facilities, as well as campuses of the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Fiji National University (FNU) in Labasa.