China to Fund $300m North Road Upgrade

The government of the People’s Republic of China has committed $300million to fund the mass upgrade of roads in Vanua Levu.

This was confirmed by China’s Ambassador to Fiji, Zhou Jian, during a press briefing in Suva on Thursday.

Mr Zhou said they were pushing forward with the feasibility study of the roads upgrading project on Vanua Levu.

He added Chinese experts would be in the country to conduct research later this month.

“This road project includes the renovation and building of roads extending 82 kilometres and 22 bridges, connecting 61 villages and covering 15 primary or secondary schools and 3 institutions of higher education,” Mr Zhou said.

“Once finished, the project would greatly help with the transportation and infrastructure on Vanua Levu,” he said.

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Acknowledging this assistance, Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the Government had signed an Agreement with China, which would benefit thousands of Fijians in terms of improved access to schools, health facilities, businesses, and markets in the North.

Ro Filipe said this would involve sealing 82kilometres in Natewa West Coast, Nabalebale, Naviavia, Dawara and Nabouwalu.

MORE COOPERATION

Mr Zhou said China stood ready to deepen cooperation with Fiji with regards to Juncao and rice planting.

“We would like to help Fiji to be an exporting country of relevant agricultural products from an importer, be a producer of agricultural products from a consumer, so that Fijian people could have enough food with bulging wallet,” Mr Zhou said.

“Thirdly, we should put people at the centre and support Fiji to improve people’s livelihood.

“The Chinese government adheres to the people-centred policy, which is consistent with the “people first” policy of the Fijian Government.”

Over the years, he said China had donated vehicles, agricultural machinery, office equipment, which has helped to build infrastructure like hospitals, hydro-power station, roads, stadium and bridges, as well as implementing aid projects like rural power grid renovation, which greatly benefited the local people.

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