MWH Global Ensures The Future Of Fiji’s Roads

MWH Global Ensures The Future Of Fiji’s Roads
Contracts awarded to three New Zealand Contractors

Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday 27 November 2012, - MWH Global is helping the Fiji Government make a giant leap closer to ensuring the people of Fiji see huge improvements to their roads network.

Three new road maintenance contracts, with a combined value of $450 Million (FJD,) have been signed with three experienced New Zealand Road Maintenance Contractors.

These appointments are the next step after MWH agreed a $25 million (NZD) contract with the Fiji Government to help them reform the country’s road governance and operational practices. Since then, MWH has been assisting the Fijian Government to establish the new Fiji Roads Authority.

Under this contract, which began in January this year, MWH provides professional management services for the maintenance of the islands’ road network which includes 5,000 kilometres of main roads (of which 4,000 kilometres are unsealed), 400 kilometres of urban roads,5,000 kilometres of ‘other’ roads (typically connecting sugar cane and forestry plantations), 900 bridges and 15 jetties. In addition to this MWH are also providing management and supervision services to approximately $600M (FJD) of new construction projects.

MWH Roading Network Manager Mike Rudge 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.”

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.

The contracts have a combined annual value of $120 Million (FJD) and have been awarded to Fulton Hogan, Blacktop Construction Limited and Higgins Group.

“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 Mike Rudge.

The contracts will start on 1 January 2013 and will be for four years with a right of extension for a further one or two years.

About MWH
MWH Global is a strategic consulting, technical engineering and construction services firm leading the wet infrastructure sector. Offering a full range of services and innovative, award-winning solutions beginning in the initial planning phases through construction and asset management, we partner with our clients in multiple industries to implement projects and programs that focus on water, energy, natural resources and infrastructure. Our 7,500 employees in 35 countries spanning six continents are dedicated to fulfilling our purpose of Building a Better World, which reflects our commitment to sustainable development. MWH is a private, employee-owned firm with a rich legacy beginning in 1820. For more information, visit our website at www.mwhglobal.com.

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