Fulton Hogan Hiways (North) has created a better access for students living in Uluibenau Reservoir Road, located 3.5 kilometres outside of Labasa Town.

They would use the previously potholed Uluibenau Road to get to school, said FHH Labasa Depot Manager, Isaac Rakabikabi.

Contracting FHH to maintain the rural and urban networks in the Northern Division, one of the objectives of the Fiji Roads Authority’s rural maintenance programme is to improve road access to schools.

Mr Rakabikabi said the 1.7 kilometre road was slippery during rainy spells.

He said the road had been reshaped and the pre-existing material graded and strengthened by compaction.

The road provides access to more than 40 farming families living in the area and is also the location of the Water Authority of Fiji reservoir.

“Buses, carriers and four wheel drives couldn’t even access the road during heavy downpour,” Mr Rakabikabi said.

“Whether its children walking to catch a bus on the main road or farmers taking their produce to the market, the improved road is expected to bring some relief to the residents of Uluibenau.”