The first phase of the Sigatoka River dredging project is officially underway, Fiji Broadcasting Commission informs.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Jitendra Singh, said that the main goals of this dredging scheme are to improve drainage of agricultural land, increase the flood discharge capacity of the river system and reduce flood damage.
Under the project, approximately 3.4km of the river will be dredged from the river mouth to approximately 1km below the Sigatoka Bridge, according to FBC.
The dredging operations will have no significant negative environmental impact, added Singh.
Dredging works are being carried out by the China Railway First Group, who were previously contracted to carry out dredging works in the Rewa, Navua and Ba River.
[mappress mapid=”23503″]