Minister calls for more funds to improve infrastructure

Minister for Transport and Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, says the upcoming 2025–2026 National Budget must focus more on fixing the country’s basic infrastructure—especially the roads, water, and energy.

In the 2024-2025 National Budget announced by Minister for Finance Biman Prasad last year, the Fiji Roads Authority was allocated $354.8 million.

The government also re-established the Public Works Department with an increased funding of $8 million last year.

The Water Authority of Fiji was provided a total budget of $259.4 million.

In an interview yesterday, the Minister said his ministry has been listening to the people while travelling around Fiji.

Ro Filipe said the same problems keep coming up — bad roads, water shortages and energy supply issues. He also mentioned challenges in the land transport and maritime sectors.

“These are key infrastructure issues,” Ro Filipe said.

“We know the problems and we need to work on them. This budget is very important, especially as we are nearing the end of our term. We want to fix our weaknesses and improve what we deliver to the people.”

The Minister is hoping for strong support from the Ministry of Finance to increase the budget for his ministry.

He believes proper funding will help improve services and address the urgent needs faced by people in towns, villages, and remote areas.

He also expects his ministry to give clear and useful input during the budget planning, based on what they’ve heard from the public.

“We have to pull up our socks and make sure we do better,” the Minister said, adding that the next budget must reflect the real needs of communities.

The national budget for 2025–2026 is expected to be announced in June.

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