Extreme weather, unavailability of materials cause delay in Koro school repair works, says Australian Embassy
Despite setbacks to rebuild schools on Koro Island damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, close collaboration with other stakeholders have helped move the projects along.
The Australian government, who is helping with the construction of school structures on the island in Lomaiviti, said there were many factors that caused delays in the repair and rebuilding.
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“In order to overcome these challengers, the Australian government has been working closely with the Fijian Government, specifically the Ministry of Education’s Asset Management Unit and the Ministry of Economy’s Construction Implementation Unit,” the Australian High Commission said in response to questions sent to them by the Fiji Sun.
It also said extreme weather conditions and the non-availability of materials were among the causes for delays.
The projects would now be completed by the middle of this year.
“The main challenges to progress in order of the degree of impact are: extreme weather; unplanned community and cultural events which delay work; capacity of the industry and supply chains to ensure that materials are available when needed; and a shortage of skilled and experienced project managers and sub-contractors,” the embassy said.
“AQEP (Access to Quality Education Programme) has taken a developmental approach to rebuilding schools on Koro island. This has resulted in benefits for communities on the island, which include hiring of local staff and ensuring thorough consultation with affected communities.
“This has brought additional benefits in terms of employment… and the Australian government sees this as a way of empowering them.”
The embassy is also working on other things.
“The Access to Quality Education Programme (AQEP) has also provided extensive support to the contractor and ensured strict and consistent monitoring of activities,” it said.
“This includes ensuring that two qualified AQEP engineers are on Koro island at all times to monitor progress; raising issues with the AQEP Structural Engineer to address during regular site visits; strong involvement of the community in third-party monitoring; insisting on two externally hired Consultant Engineers based on Koro to provide technical oversight.
“The provision of technical project management advice directly to contractor; project management support in the field; and facilitation of stakeholder monitoring visits to oversee implementation.” Edited by Percy Kean
Feedback: lusiana.banuve@fijisun.com.fj
