Contractors working under the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) are facing substantial difficulties in managing road repair works during the wet season, which lasts from November to April. During this period, resources are often redirected to address emergency restoration needs, significantly impacting their road rehabilitation efforts.
According to the FRA, the ongoing rainfall has hampered scheduled maintenance, forcing contractors to shift their focus to urgent repairs necessitated by flooding and water damage. “They face significant challenges in coordinating work as resources are diverted towards emergency restoration during this time,” the FRA explained.
Despite these obstacles, the FRA is striving to enhance the capacity of its maintenance contractors across all divisions. One initiative includes the advertisement of a new tender for road corridor maintenance, which was published on December 30, 2025, with a closing date of February 2, 2026.
As part of the rehabilitation efforts, plans have been made for contractors to begin overlay work at the Nasekula bridge as soon as the weather conditions improve. This week, immediate measures are being implemented to ensure safety at this location and facilitate smoother travel between the Nasekula bridge and Delailabasa.
However, the increasing number of potholes has been attributed to excessive runoff from nearby villages directed towards the road and the bridge. “The bridge is due for replacement, and the additional pothole issue is due to the amount of runoff from the village and nearby areas towards the road,” the FRA noted.
For road users, these conditions are proving to be quite burdensome. Mahen Prasad, chair of the Labasa Taxi Association, highlighted the frustrations faced by drivers. He noted that journeys that typically take 20 minutes have now extended to over an hour due to the need for caution in navigating the damaged roads. “It’s frustrating and costly for everyone,” he remarked.
The traffic congestion has become a daily challenge for commuters and business operators, tripling travel times. The impact is also felt by emergency vehicles such as ambulances, raising safety concerns. Prasad emphasized that drivers are increasingly swerving or stopping abruptly to avoid potholes, leading to higher accident risks. Many residents are calling for urgent interventions from relevant authorities to repair the infrastructure before conditions worsen further.
While the situation is challenging, the FRA’s proactive measures to address both immediate safety concerns and long-term rehabilitation could pave the way for improved road conditions going forward, providing hope for a smoother commuting experience in the future.