Civil works at the Nabavatu relocation site encountered initial setbacks following the discovery of underground seepage, necessitating a comprehensive redo of certain construction tasks. Contractors deemed it essential to prioritize drainage improvements before proceeding with housing construction. Project engineer Versoni Tavana stated that this decision was unavoidable, highlighting the importance of a solid foundation for the relocation efforts.
“From day one, we emphasized the need for effective drainage prior to preparing the terraces for construction,” Tavana remarked. Although some areas of the site still have soft ground, he assured that the issues are manageable. “There’s some soggy ground here and there, but it’s manageable,” he said.
Although soil conditions were assessed early, Tavana noted that the land was not ideal when phase two of the construction began. “Due to this, drainage became critical to make the site suitable for housing,” he explained. However, despite these challenges, progress has significantly improved since the initial issues were addressed.
Tavana emphasized that equity was a key focus in the project, asserting that each of the 37 relocating families will receive an equal land distribution, with all households receiving identical two-bedroom homes. “All homes have the same internal and external square metre measurements. There is no variation,” he confirmed.
The efficiency of construction also depends on how teams are deployed rather than merely on the number of workers available. “We move teams around based on trade strengths, whether local or foreign workers,” said Tavana, highlighting the importance of proper supervision on site. He shared that worker numbers fluctuate according to construction phases, noting that more laborers are needed during specific tasks such as floor pouring compared to other stages.
All steel components are prefabricated in Suva and transported to the site for assembly, which can make the visible workforce appear smaller at times while maintaining a high efficiency level. Now, with the initial groundwork issues resolved, construction is steadily advancing towards providing new homes for the 37 families, bringing hope and stability to those involved in the relocation.