Fulton Hogan, Blacktop Construction Limited and Higgins Group have each been awarded new road maintenance contracts in Fiji, worth NZ$305.8 million.
The appointments follow a $25 million contract between the Fijian government and MWH Group, who provide strategic consulting, technical engineering and construction services.
Under the contract, MWH provides professional management services for the maintenance of the islands’ road network which includes 5000 kilometres of main roads (of which 4000 kilometres are unsealed), 400 kilometres of urban roads, 5000 kilometres of ‘other’ roads (typically connecting sugar cane and forestry plantations), 900 bridges and 15 jetties.
The three successful contractors are all New Zealand-based companies and were selected after a thorough tender process that started in May this year. In total, proposals from 28 companies from around the Asia Pacific region and Fiji were considered.
Mike Rudge, MWH roading network manager, is overseeing the five-year contract. He says: “Since the start of this year, MWH has been establishing the corporate structure and organisation of the Fiji Road Authority. We have worked hard reviewing how road maintenance and renewals are carried out. A key part of this review has been a move to outsource road maintenance contracts.
“This will be the first time Fiji has committed to an ongoing program of maintenance and the renewal of its roads. One of the critical roles for the contractors will be to pass on their expertise to local workers and companies. We want these reforms to have a lasting effect, rather than just being a Band Aid solution. So this also presents a great opportunity for local workers to upgrade their skills,” says Rudge.
The contracts will start on January 1, 2013, and will be for four years with a right of extension for a further one or two years.
