VIRIQILAI villager Rosalia Amele has questioned promises made by the Fiji Roads Authority over past years to improve road conditions of the Nasealevu/Viriqilai/Vatua roads.
The former village head, who held the post for five years and retired this year, said she had been informed by senior government officials including government ministers that the roads were in FRA’s development plan.
“In my five years of being village headwoman, I have always pushed for this issue and informed by FRA officials in district and provincial meetings that it was included in their plans,” she said.
“But until today nothing has been included and we’re tired of asking and I have written so many letters, followed up with phone calls and visited the officials myself but nothing has changed.
“This issue has also been raised in talanoa sessions with government ministers and the Prime Minister’s team but we have not seen any changes.”
Ms Amele said villagers spent a lot of money to hire taxis and carriers for transportation.
“We hope something is done quickly to ease the load and burden we have faced over the past decades.”
The FRA has assured villagers that the construction of the road has been prioritised upon consultation with the Commissioner Northern’s Office.
“The FRA is currently reviewing the tender and anticipate to award it in the second quarter of this year.”
