Government is committed to providing safe and reliable public transportation through the development of sustainable road infrastructure.

Minister for Transport, Parveen Kumar told delegates at the Fiji Bus Operators Association annual convention held at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Hotel Conventional Centre yesterday.

Mr Kumar said Fiji is dependent on the transport sector to develop and drive the economy.

“The improvements do not come as ready-made packages so I ask for patience as we embark on the ambitious programme to redress the problems of inattention from previous governments in the transportation sector,” Mr Kumar said.

According to the recent household travel survey conducted by the Transport ministry, about 95 per cent of the population depend on and use bus services as the preferred mode of commuting from one destination to another.”

Mr Kumar said the bus industry was very important in its role not only for the provision of services but also its contribution to the economy by providing employment.

“The theme ‘Partnerships Build Public Transport’ aligns well with the Government’s commitment in working together with its key partners in advancing an improved transport industry.”

Mr Kumar said the government had invested $415 million in 2014, $653 million in 2015 and $527 million in 2016 on infrastructure construction and renewals to address the backlog in the maintenance of our road infrastructure including bridges and jetties.

Change looms in LTA top positions

Expect major changes in the Land Transport Authority leadership, said Mr Kumar.

This is after recent reports of corruption surfaced within the authority.

Mr Kumar said the ministry was aware of the corruption practices in LTA.

“The Government will make sure that such practices are stopped.

“We will make sure we clean LTA and make such policies to ensure that such corrupt practices do not occur again as we have received a lot of complaints within various LTA offices.”

Mr Kumar said he was aware that there was a lot of issues and challengers faced by operators in particular with LTA.

“I have received some major complaints from the other stakeholders, people from the transport industry and other operators in regards with LTA,” Mr Kumar said.

“We cannot continue to better our services while such practices are in place.

“We will make sure there are crystal clear policies, regulations, legislation and guidelines are in place so we put a stop to corruption practices.”

Edited by Rosi Doviverata

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