For years, farmers in Fiji have been challenged by some of the country’s rural road con­ditions, hindering the delivery of their produce to the market.

Fulton Hogan Hiways, working under the Fiji Roads Authority’s (FRA) maintenance programme, has been instrumental in provid­ing safe road access for the Cen­tral, Northern and the Eastern Divisions.

Fulton Hogan Hiways, Tau­novo Depot Supervisor, Remesio Naqoro, said the Fulton Hogan Hiways crew removed high shoul­ders, graded and gravelled the 1.2 kilometre Matainarara Road, re­instated a wash out and replaced a deteriorated culvert.

“It is now protected from the weather and can be used all year round, in almost all conditions,” Mr Naqoro said.

He said prior to the upgrade, the road needed major maintenance that affected both farmers and their families, but this is no longer the case.

Matainarara Road is off the Queens Road and is 20 kilometres away from Navua Town.

Tevita Seru, one of the farmers who lives along the road, said that with the upgrade, he plans to ex­pand his farm and believes other farmers will also expand because they now have improved access to the market.

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