A 12-metre long crossing in Nadaro, Tailevu, has been reconstructed by Government to safely help hundreds of people in the village and nearby communities commute daily.

Budgeted in the 2022-2023 financial year, this was part of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development’s Community Access Road, Footpaths and Footbridges (CARFF) project.

Line minister, Inia Seruiratu, commissioned the project last week and said the crossing would help farmers get their produce onto the Kings Road and students transported safely to and from school.

“Government is bringing you a ‘new standard’ of modern and sustainable infrastructure that provides safer and reliable access,” he said.

“I know that the old crossing served this community and all the people of this area very well for many years.

“You helped build this foot crossing.”

“This structure is vital to this village and the farmers in the surrounding countryside who sell their produce at the market because it provides the access to and from your farm to the Kings road,” he said.

“Children depend on it to attend school. Vulnerable groups (women, physically challenged and elderly depend on it to access healthcare services. Everyone depends on it to keep this village connected with their daily socio-economic activities.”

“This portrays a message that this generation is serious about taking ownership of this project,” he said.

“More so with the support of the village development forum will further enhance and complement future rural development initiatives in a more sustainable way.”

Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj