Extensive Government planning to ensure the remaining schools badly damaged by Cyclone Winston are rebuilt for the new school year was outlined yesterday.

Minister for Economy and Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum briefed journalists in Suva on work now being done in his ministry.

This is to make sure the remaining schools are rebuilt as quickly as possible – but rebuilt stronger. Government has allocated $130 million for this.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “We are focusing obviously on the schools … completely damaged and that is our main priority.”

But he said they need to ensure that they are built back better in a very constructive manner.

The Fijian Government tender board met yesterday to award tenders for nine schools in the first batch. Another batch of tenders will be awarded in the coming weeks.

All contracts are expected to be awarded by November.

“Once the tender is awarded, the contractors are supposed to be on the ground in a week to start the reconstruction,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“We have planned to have most of the schools reconstructed by the beginning of Term One next year.”

He said the Construction Implementation Unit has a level of documentation that has been developed to ensure that the schools are built back stronger.

He said clusters would allow the contractors to work on three or four schools in the same area.

“Through the mobilisation, they can move from one school to another using the same labour and tools,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

He said the schools had been graded between one to five; five being completely destroyed.

“Grade one and two are superficial fixing-up, whereas grades three to five are more structural or complete rebuild of the schools,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“The repairs of school damages graded between one and two are under the Ministry for Education while school damages graded three to five are under the Ministry for Economy.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they needed to make sure there was proper utilisation of taxpayers’ funds and a maximum return on expenditure.

He said the Fiji Institution of Engineers was involved in assisting in the reconstruction works for the schools.

“The idea is to now build back better schools that include looking at concrete solutions and amalgamating the classrooms into one building,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

The number of schools damaged by severe Tropical Cyclone Winston are listed as follows:

Schools damaged:
Eastern – 7
North – 43
Ovalau – 16
Vanuabalavu – 6
Koro – 7
West – 89
Central – 20

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

Feedback:  ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj