JULY/AUGUST, 2014ISSUE 8

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FRA Half Yearly Report reveals significant progress

THE Half Yearly Report is a summary of Fiji Roads Authority’s (FRA) activities in 2014 up to June of this year. It provides insight into the extensive progress that has been made so far this year in the rehabilitation of Fiji’s road network.

Momentum maintained “The lessons learnt in 2013 have been put into practice and the

momentum from 2013 has been maintained. Significant improvement is evident across the country and not a week goes by without more work being completed that improves the standard of living for another

community,” said Mr Cook.In the first six months of 2014, FRA recorded the following numbers,

a result of the activities generated out of the level of the much-needed investment by Government.• 7,818 kilometres of unsealed roads have been graded • More than 158,000 potholes filled • 148,000 square metres of sealed road pavement repairs completed (enough to fill 4 rugby fields) • 104 kilometres of water tables cleaned • 2,215 metres of new culvert pipes have been installed • 152,000 cubic metres of gravel has been applied to unsealed roads (enough to fill 60 Olympic-size swimming pools)• 2,270 kilometres of line markings have been painted• 11 kilometres of road reconstruction have been completed• 61 kilometres of road have been resealed

Roads to benefit all Fijians “We have always stated that this is a long term process; the problems

we face that have developed over decades will take five to ten years to be rectified. But the work that has been achieved in the 20 months FRA has been in operation is evidence that if the momentum is maintained we will achieve what we set out to achieve, and that is a world standard roading network that benefits all Fijians,” said Mr Cook.

HIGGINS (Fiji) Ltd Quality Manager Mr Hakeem Khan has returned to Fiji after working with Higgins in Auckland New Zealand as a Senior Laboratory Technician for nine years.

“I have returned to Fiji both as a Quality Manager and as a local here to assist with knowledge transfer by working closely with the local Higgins team. I am also responsible for the Occupational Health and Safety of the team,” said Mr Khan.

Mr Khan is responsible for controlling the quality of all material used by Higgins in road repair and rehabilitation projects.

“My work not only includes the testing of the materials but also testing each stage of road construction or the repair

Local returns to help

process before the engineers undertake the next stage of work,” he said.

Mr Khan completed his B.Ed in Science in 1998 in conjunction with SOPAC, the then South Pacific Geo-Science Commission, while employed by Emperor Gold Mine Fiji Ltd, where he worked as a geologist for 17 years before moving to New Zealand.

A highlight in the first half of 2014 has been the payment to the Mataqali Matanikorovatu in Kalabu of $1.6 million in compensation for the extraction over the years of stones from the Nasinu Quarry.

The resolution of this legacy issue inherited by FRA saw the compensation paid to the iTaukei Lands Trust Board who then distributed it evenly

to the seventy-four land owners registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula, with provisions in place to ensure that those under 18 will receive their share when they come of age.

Valid claims can be processed by Fiji Roads Authority, providing the claimant has all the supporting documents and the first step should be to approach the Authority.

Compensation paid out

The Honourable Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama (centre) with members of the Mataqali Matanikorovatu in Kalabu.

2 F I J I R O A D S A U T H O R I T Y

AT FRA accountability and transparency means we implement world best practice to set comprehensive performance targets and then report against them in a way stakeholders can understand. And just as important as presenting our achievements is being open about where further improvement and development is required.

We have come along way in the past 20 months but it will take time for the culture change to become fully embedded. That will come as we consistently and diligently apply best practice reporting and accountability standards that allow public scrutiny of all that we do.

FRA stands at the forefront of change in the way infrastructure is delivered in Fiji. We know that the work we do impacts every Fijian. Government’s investment in roading infrastructure is bearing fruit and real improvement

CEO’s Message is evident right across Fiji and FRA is a corporate entity with a governing board that reports to the Prime Minister. Our reporting and accountability requirements are:

Corporate Plan & Statement of Corporate Intent – a single comprehensive document that sets out the plan for the future operations of the Authority with a strong focus on the current year’s work programme. Longer term plans can be found in our Asset Management Plan that presents a 10 – 20 year vision (currently in draft form).

Half Year Report – a progress report on FRA’s activities for the first half of the year, published towards the end of July each year.

Annual Report – the key accountability document that is a summary reporting on the FRA’s activities in a given financial year.

To assure the public of Fiji that the significant investment Government is making through FRA is being properly managed, FRA’s activities are audited by the Office of

the Auditor General. Our Annual Reports are published on our website and these include the Auditor General’s report for each financial year.

FRA’s mission is to ensure that the decision makers have all the information they need to make the call on how quickly the restoration will occur. To be accepted as ‘trusted advisors’ to the Government of the day we must be seen to be absolutely accountable and transparent in how we carry out our business.

I encourage anyone interested in more detail to visit www.fijiroads.org and download a copy of our various plans and reports.

Prime Fiji: 4,600 street lights laterPRIME Fiji Limited began operating in Fiji a year ago after landing the contract in August 2013 for both streetlights and traffic signals Since then, they have attended to over 4600 streetlight complaints with 600 faults resolved in the month of July alone.

With over 9000 streetlights spread across 13 municipalities in Fiji, the Fiji Roads Authority, in addition to improving the standard of the transport network in Fiji, must also maintain traffic signals

and streetlights in and out of towns, residential areas and alongside our highways. The physical and administrative work is managed by Prime Fiji Limited who carry out this work for FRA.

Completed work includes traffic signals on Harris Road, Laucala Bay Road, Makoi Road and the corner of McGregor Road and Victoria Parade that have been upgraded, improving safety for pedestrians and drivers in the area.

This is the second of four articles outlining the supplier selection methods employed by FRA in awarding tenders for projects.

AS we have already stated in the previous issue of ROADS, the different methods of selection suit different circumstances. Some are simple, some are complex, but none rely on price alone.

Weighted attributes This method can be used for large and complex projects with any risk by Fiji Roads Authority being managed by putting more

Supplier selection methods at FRA: Weighted Attributes weight on the attributes and by ensuring that the attribute statements give the information needed to assess the risk of appointing each tenderer.

In this method, the non-price attribute envelope is opened first and the attributes are scored, after which the price envelopes are opened and the prices are given score in relation to the lowest price.

The two scores are then combined into one by applying the percentages for each from the Request For Tender (RFT).

The highest overall score wins the tender.

As in the Lowest Price Conforming method (discussed last issue) the following points apply:

• FRA will contact the contractor if it appears that information is missing by mistake or if there is a need to clarify information that appears to be at odds either with what is expected or what is known about the contractor. • Attributes and price are to submitted in separate envelopes.

FRA will never ask for a price only.

• All standard forms in the RFT are to be completed.

• Evidence of financial viability, insurance and the ability to raise a performance bond are always required.

All tender processes used by FRA seek to be fair, transparent and consistent and aim to upskill and support local suppliers.

Next issue we will look more closely at what is required in the tenderer’s attribute information.

Prime Fiji Limited carry out the work of maintaining street lights as part of FRA’s improvements to Fiji’s transport network.

3F I J I R O A D S A U T H O R I T Y

THREE sections of the flood-prone Lakena Road in Rewa have undergone a complete transformation. The road serves dalo, rice and dairy farmers and their families

R u r a l R e w a r e v i t a l i s e d

DESPITE the challenges of joining a technical industry, Annie Sue said she appreciated being part of the team at Fiji Roads Authority (FRA).

“I was excited to become part of a team that is pioneering road reforms. I felt like I was part of something new,” she said.

FRA welcomed Annie in June as Executive Assistant to the CEO.

“In this role you have to act swiftly and think on your feet. Like in any other field it comes with its own set of jargons and terminologies, quite interesting really, and I am learning new terms with each passing day. I also had to get to know the FRA Managers and their roles, as well as all the consultants and contractors,” she said.

Face challenges with enthusiasm

VENIANA Lomu of Holy Family Secondary School delivered a strong safety message to drivers on Fiji’s Roads at the Land Transport Authority Roadshow, Subrail Park, Labasa.

“Drivers are the ones with their hands on the wheel, safe driving is their responsibility,” said Veniana in the speech she delivered at the Roadshow.

“Poor driving, drunken driving, drivers that are too sleepy or too tired to drive, this

Strong safety message from Veniana

is when road accidents occur,” said Veniana.

There really is a choice, choose to be a safe driver and follow the rules. Then you have a chance of saving someone’s life,” said Veniana.

GRADER operators Mr Alifereti Vafou of Rotuma and Mr Marika Ritova of Kadavu were in Suva recently for

New machinery for Kadavu and Rotumatraining on the new Carptrac backhoes that Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has bought and shipped to their respective islands.

Rotuma Depot Leading

Hand, Mr Brian Kiare, said “The backhoe will be very helpful with the drainage and site work, especially resheeting and loading sand.”

living in the area. Totalling 4.32 kilometres, the

scope of work in the three sections saw the grading, resheeting and compaction where the road had become a grass covered track.

Dig-outs took place where the road was particularly wet and geotextile made of polyvinyl laid down to hold the new roading material in place and to prevent it from mixing into the

‘soft spot’ and disappearing.High shoulders were

removed, vegetation cleared and water tables were cleared. Four culverts and headwalls were built.

Annie said that she advises all young women, whatever their choice of career, to take on challenges and outperform.

“If there’s work to be done, do it

and challenge yourself. Be enthusiastic about whatever is given to you; take pride in your work and don’t be a clock watcher,” she said.

While building her career, Annie has also had a busy personal life with two daughters to raise. She has worked in both the private and public sector, and started her career as a Hansard reporter in Parliament then joined UNDP in 1987.

A dedicated worker, she was personal assistant to the Chairman of the Sugar Commission for 10 years before spending 13 years with Post Fiji then to ANZ Pacific Operations and now we are lucky to have her join the team at Fiji Roads Authority.

In places the road was overgrown with grass. Grading removed vegetation from the road surface. Geotextile was laid down in soft spots.

The road was resheeted and compacted. Headwalls were built where needed. Drainage was improved along the road.

4 F I J I R O A D S A U T H O R I T Y

IF any alteration or improvement to the assets that comprise the roading network require the acquisition of additional land, Mr Opeti Seniyaro, Senior Land Valuation Officer, Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and his two Land Valuation colleagues will be involved in the process.

“Our main task is to provide the land needed for upgrading roads, including land for new roads. We also provide valuations, at an equitable value for the landowners, on properties affected by these changes to the infrastructure and process the sales and purchase agreements between the property owners and Government,” said Mr Seniyaro.

Once Mr Seniyaro receives the official engineers’ drawings for a proposed project showing the acquisitions required, he submits

Equitable valuations for landownersthese to the statutory section of the Lands Department who provide the final vetting of the drawings, the names of the current owner or owners, and where applicable, the names of current lease-holders.

Mr Seniyaro and his team arrange meetings with the stakeholders through the Provincial Offices, the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) and the Lands Department to inform them of FRA’s intentions regarding their land and to get signatures from 60% of the landowners before they can proceed.

“Once we get the consent, it is sent to TLTB who check the signatures against the Native Land Commission’s Registry to ensure all are the genuine landowners. In some cases they have sent it back to us saying only 30 or 40% of the total landowners have

signed, so we have to go back to the landowners to get enough signatures,” said Mr Seniyaro.

Born and raised in Nanau Village, Tailevu, Mr Seniyaro completed a B.A in Land Management and Development at the University of the South Pacific followed by a year at Lincoln University in New Zealand and two years of practical

evaluations before taking internal examinations with the Evaluations Board in Fiji. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Land Management and Development and is a Registered Valuer and brings nearly 40 years of experience in his field to his position at FRA.

NOT one to be fazed by what some may think is a male dominated industry, Seini Lalagivivi said she was excited about joining the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA).

Seini joined the FRA

Corporate Services Team in June as Senior Administrative Officer - Human Resources. In this role she

handles a wide-range of duties that support the core function of the FRA administration team including vehicle management, monitoring fleet expenses, leave management, insurance, training and other HR matters.

Originally from Levuka, Seini’s career spans 14 years including the last four years where she worked as the Admin and Executive Support Officer to the Permanent Secretary Public Enterprises & Tourism.

When asked about how she is settling in with her new role, Seini said “In FRA, providing administrative support to a team of twenty plus pushes your limits in productivity in a good way. To pursue a career and have

a family in this day and age is not an easy task. If I couldn’t complete work in the office, I had to take it home but I was always mindful not to neglect my family responsibilities.” Still yet she is driven by her passion for learning and is studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce.

“Achieving the goals of your company is what matters, not just doing things and walking out at the end of the day. It is about having the right attitude and willingness to go the extra mile,” she said.

Qeleni bridge in Taveuni completed

Before... During... After.