The Suva City Council is prioritizing the enhancement of public facilities as part of its commitment to improving services for local residents. Current initiatives focus on the redevelopment of the Raiwaqa Market, upgrades to bus terminals, road repairs, and the maintenance of market and public amenities.
These projects coincide with the government’s efforts to bolster municipal councils through new funding streams and improved operational support. Acting Suva City Council CEO Tevita Boseiwaqa emphasized the importance of addressing the city’s aging infrastructure. He stated, “Most of the existing facilities need to be repaired, need maintenance, or the areas need to be redeveloped. The only major project in place now is the Raiwaqa Market, for which we have awarded the tender and are discussing the way forward.”
The council is placing special emphasis on projects that will benefit commuters, vendors, and the general public. Recently, improvements have been made to roads leading into bus terminals, and a forthcoming project aims to establish a shelter for travelers heading west and north, ensuring they have the necessary facilities before boarding buses.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa highlighted that newly acquired funding will play a crucial role in enhancing service delivery through better equipment. He noted, “The $12.5 million is mainly for the acquisition of machinery such as garbage trucks, collection trucks, compactor trucks, excavators, and other equipment, depending on the needs of each municipality.”
The Ministry will continue to conduct assessments to ensure that councils obtain machinery suited to their needs, while the Suva City Council advances its phased redevelopment plans throughout the capital. These efforts reflect a forward-looking approach aimed at creating a more efficient and user-friendly city environment for its residents.