Government has in­vested $7.1 million for the construction of lighthouses around Fiji and a further $1.8million towards the installation of beacons.

Since 2011 the government has progressively con­structed 35 lighthouses and installed 600 beacons in the sheltered shipping routes.

Captain Philip Hill of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji said the provision of constructing Aid to Navi­gation (ATON) systems to assist in the safe naviga­tion of vessels within Fiji’s identified shipping lanes continues.

He said an additional sev­en lighthouses are planned for installation this year.

“Fijians rely heavily on the maritime shipping in­dustry for employment, sustainability, prosper­ity and economic growth,” Captain Hill said.

“It is through our ship­ping industry that Fijians in the rural and maritime sectors are provided with government development initiatives, enhancing so­cial and economic growth.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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