FIJI TIMES 18 FEB 2020 – THE Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd has recorded significant growth since 2016 with trade activity boosted at both the Suva and Lautoka ports, says Industry, Trade and Tourism Minister Premila Kumar.
She made the comment while debating the review of the FPCL 2016 Annual Report in Parliament yesterday.
“From a trade perspective there was an increase in growth tonnage in Suva and Lautoka ports by 44 per cent and 18.9 per cent,” Mrs Kumar said.
“From a tourism perspective, cruise liners increased by 26.6 per cent.”
Responding to comments made by Opposition parliamentarian Salote Radrodro about lack of Government support towards development of major ports in the country, Mrs Kumar said a lot of work was being done.
“A master plan is being conducted for Suva, Lautoka and Nadi and that will help identify a suitable site for new wharves.
“We need a feasibility study to identify a new site for the Suva wharf, Lautoka and Nadi and all that will help identify a suitable site. There is a lot of work required to identify a suitable site.”
While commenting on the 2016 annual report, Ms Radrodro said upgrades at the Suva wharf had been done by previous governments.
She had questioned the lack of resources and support by the present administration towards FPCL in terms of acquisition of land and provision of adequate resources.
