FRA Hit with Worker Shortages

The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is facing staffing challenges, having lost more than 20 employees in the past year to opportunities abroad.

The organisation is struggling to recruit individuals to fill specialised positions, said its chief executive officer Apisai Ketenilagi, during the public submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts yesterday.

"It is difficult to secure key specialised people to come and assist us in such a way that they could also be part of capacity building within the organisation," said Mr Ketenilagi.

"Currently, only three of us have spent 20 to 30 years in the FRA. That's the challenge we're facing at the moment."

Mr Ketenilagi, who started in his role in January, said the FRA was engaging with foreign recruitment agencies to mobilise traffic, safety, geotechnical, and bridge structural engineers, among other personnel.

Fiji Roads Authority chief executive officer Apisai Ketenilagi (second from left) during the public submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts on May 15, 2025. Photo: Parliament of Fij

He said the World Bank and Asian Development Bank were engaged to provide capacity -building assistance.

Meanwhile, the FRA chief noted that there were 30 active FRA depots in locations across the country, with seven in the Central Division, seven in the East and maritime islands, seven in the Western Division and nine in the North.

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