PROTECTING FIJI’S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE – A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

10 February 2026

The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is raising serious concern over repeated acts of vandalism, damage to road infrastructure, and FRA assets – acts that continue to disrupt connectivity, strain resources, and affect communities across the country.

The FRA noted two recent incidents that caused significant disruption to local communities. In the first incident, the Waidamudamu Bridge, located along Nakorotari Road in Labasa was damaged by a fire, cutting off access along a vital road link and affecting residents, school students, and daily commuters who rely on the bridge for their daily travel.

In response, FRA restored access by installing a new bridge deck at a cost of approximately $130,000. While investigations into the incident are still ongoing by the Police, FRA remains deeply concerned about actions that undermine public infrastructure and the essential services it supports.

In another incident in Batinikama, Labasa in October 2025, two heavy machinery belonging to an FRA contractor were involved in a fire incident, resulting in an estimated loss of around $1 million. Such acts not only impose financial losses on contractors but also delay the delivery of critical road works. These disruptions ultimately affect the wider community, as delayed projects mean reduced access, compromised safety, and prolonged inconvenience for road users.

The Fiji Roads Authority is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining Fiji’s road infrastructure network. This extensive network includes around 6,371 kilometers of roads, 1,406 bridges, more than 13,606 streetlights, and 32 jetties nationwide. At the core of this infrastructure is the road network, which plays a vital role in supporting economic growth, social development, and national resilience.

Roads are far more than strips of sealed pavement; they are lifelines that connect people and communities. They enable the movement of goods between farms, markets, businesses, and ports, supporting both local livelihoods and international trade. Roads allow children to travel safely to school, workers to reach their jobs, and families to access healthcare facilities and essential services. In rural and remote areas, reliable roads are especially critical, often serving as the only link between communities and opportunities for development.

Without a dependable transport network, these vital connections become fragile. Children may struggle to reach schools, workers face difficulties commuting to their jobs, and farmers in rural areas often lack reliable access to markets to sell their produce. Communities experience isolation, businesses face higher operating costs, and overall national development is constrained. This highlights why maintaining road infrastructure is a continuous and complex task, requiring careful planning, timely repairs, and strong public support.

FRA carries out routine maintenance to keep roads safe and functional, periodic maintenance to extend the life of assets, and emergency maintenance to restore access following unexpected events such as floods, landslides, or fires.

However, repeated acts of vandalism and damage to infrastructure and machinery significantly undermine these efforts. Each incident increases costs, diverts resources, and delays scheduled maintenance programs. Funds that could be used to improve roads or enhance safety features are instead spent repairing damage caused by irresponsible actions.

In some cases, contractors face reduced capacity to continue works, and prolonged damage to their equipment may even lead them to withdraw from projects.

FRA also continues to encounter frequent damage to road signs, bridge railings, bus shelters and utility access chamber. These assets play a critical role in ensuring road safety, guiding motorists, and protecting pedestrians.

Despite regular repairs and replacements carried out during routine maintenance, careless behavior and vandalism persist, creating safety risks for all road users and adding unnecessary costs.

The success of Fiji’s long-term development depends heavily on infrastructure that is reliable, resilient, and consistently available. Reliable infrastructure builds confidence, encouraging people and businesses to invest in their future. When roads are safe and accessible, communities thrive and economies grow.

Protecting this infrastructure is not the responsibility of the Fiji Roads Authority alone. It requires a collective effort grounded in civic pride and shared responsibility, where every individual recognizes the value of public assets and plays a role in safeguarding them. Simple actions such as respecting road signs, avoiding damage to public property, and reporting suspicious or harmful behavior can make a significant difference in preserving connectivity and ensuring the safety of all road users.

FRA is committed to delivering infrastructure that enhances public transport accessibility and safety across the country.

The Authority encourages communities to take pride in these new facilities by keeping them clean and free from vandalism, ensuring they continue to benefit current and future users.