Better Road Boosts Life on Island
Islanders are grateful for the new and improved road and they thank the Government and the FRA for providing safer and easy access. Koro was one of the worst hit islands by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Thousands of people living in Koro Island are rejoicing after the reconstruction of Koro Island Road, successfully completed by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA).
Nabasovi Village spokesman Mikaele Matata says the new road has improved their lives significantly.
Mr Matata said they will now no longer have to make a long tiresome journey to reach their farms as the new roads will ease transportation on the island.
“We are very happy for the students. Koro Island has seven primary schools and one high school and previously the students had to trek to reach to their schools, which was very difficult,” Mr Matata said. “We are grateful for the new and improved road and we thank the Government and the FRA for providing us with safer and easy access.” FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore says these efforts were better appreciated when considered against the backdrop of what existed before. Koro was one of the islands worst hit by Tropical Cyclone Winston. “The 16-km road will improve the quality of life of the rural population through the provision of basic weather road access to all the villages in a cost-effective manner and to promote economic growth by reducing rural transport costs,” Mr Moore said. He said the project scope was completed last year, but they had carried out additional repair works because of the impact of TC Winston in 2016. This included the construction of new drainage, shaping of existing pavement and the construction of pavement.
This project was under the Eastern Island Roads Upgrade project for maintenance and renewals of the existing roading network, and bridge repairs superstructure replacement for Moala, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba and now Koro Island.