Higgins Secures Nadi 2 $65.9m Project

RANOBA BAOA
SUVA

Higgins (Fiji) Limited, has secured the Nadi 2 Upgrading Road Project worth $65.9 million. This development features developing a four-lane from Naisoso junction near Nadi International Airport to Wailoaloa junction along six kilometres of the Queens Road.
Higgins is one of New Zealand’s major civil works construction companies. Its specialities include roads and it is already doing road maintenance for Fiji Roads Authority.
The two-year project would see a significant development of the Nadi four-lane road network and improvement in the flood-prone area’s road drainage system.
Fiji Roads Authority interim chairman Parmesh Chand said this was yet another significant achievement.
“The project is part of the Nadi and Suva Road Upgrading Programme that Government had approved in 2012 considering the many benefits it will provide to the country,” Mr Chand said.
“The intent of the Nadi and Suva Road Upgrading Programme is to improve the international gateways to Fiji.
“The upgraded roads will become an attractive welcome to both the local communities and the tourists.”
Mr Chand added that the completion of this programme will bring added benefits such as reduced travel times and congestion for road users.
Higgins Business Development manager, Grant Higgins said they would ensure that the partnership with design consultant, Opus New Zealand, was well planned and well executed.
“It will be well designed and we’ll be clear on what we intend to do. “We envision that the job will employ up to 80 staff which is a significant increase from where are at currently,” Mr Higgins said.
“We’ll be using a number of local suppliers and subcontractors to help us deliver the work and that has always been the philosophy.”
On that note he added they were already in talks with a number of subcontractors for when it starts proper in September.
“We’ll be engaging with the road users to let them know our plans.
“We’ll be continuing our training activities with the Western maintenance contractors. We hope that at the end of this we hope that the local Fijians put a lot of the skill on the complex jobs.”
It was confirmed the project will not see relocation of residential or commercial properties or communities and that consultations with the communities will be ongoing.
Feedback: ranobab@fijisun.com.fj