Minister blames red tape for delays in road safety reforms

The Government’s own decision-making processes are preventing urgent road safety improvements from being implemented quickly enough.

This was highlighted by Transport Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau today, expressing frustration with how long it takes to make changes within Government.

“I came from the private sector, and this is an ongoing concern that I’ve had since becoming a minister,” Ro Filipe said.

“If we want to make a change, how fast do we make these changes, given that what we want changed from the minister's level sometimes does not proceed as fast as we want because of the systems within it.”

Ro Filipe's comment follows reports of the Denarau bus accident in Nadi, which injured 50 Sheraton Resort workers on Monday.

The Classic Buses Ltd vehicle veered off a bridge into Denarau Creek at about 7.50am, sending workers to hospital.

Ro Filipe said the slow pace may require “a review of the whole of the government system, in terms of how we make decisions, how we process matters.”

He has assigned Assistant Minister Naisa Tuinaceva to urgently review several safety matters, including how driving licences are assessed and issued, current penalties, and regulations.

“This must be done quickly and in time,” Ro Filipe stressed, adding that 80 per cent of accidents are caused by over-speeding.

The Minister said the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), police, and the public must work together to address road accidents, particularly as the Christmas season approaches.

“There will be a concerted effort from the LTA and stakeholders as we lead up to the Christmas period, in terms of checks and other compliance requirements,” he said.

He urged drivers to “drive responsibly, drive in a mature way with wisdom.”

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