Remarks at the Official Opening of the Strengthened King’s Wharf
by
Sirpa Jarvenpaa
Regional Director
SPSO
Asian Development Bank
At the Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, Flagstaff
13 October 2005
Suva, Fiji Islands
Chairman of the Board of the Fiji Ports Corporation,
Mr. Isimeili Bose
Honorable Members of the Board, CEO Herbert Hazelman and Management of the Ports Corporation
Chief Executive Officers
Distinguished Guests and Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased and honored to address you on this auspicious day and proud to represent ADB in the partnership of the Government, the Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, the Australian and New Zealand Banking Corporation (ANZ) that together financed strengthening and improvement of the King's Wharf - and that together with the skilled management by the Ports Corporation, the Consultants from Beca International, Maunsell and Erasito Consultants and the strong Engineering by Fletcher Construction established the King's Wharf as the country's lifeline access, with improved container handling efficiency, and a better environmental record.
Since March 2002, when ADB's loan for the Ports Development Project was approved by our Board of Directors, the wharf has seen volatility in cargo throughput as the imports and exports mirror development trends in the country. Today, I am very happy to congratulate the Government of the Fiji Islands, and particularly its Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the management of the new Fiji Ports Corporation, Consultants: Beca International, Maunsell and Erasito Consultants, and the Contractor - Fletcher Construction on the completion of the civil works that prepare the wharf to serve the country's economy and the expanding container traffic more efficiently. I am especially happy to note that even though the project required specialized engineering solutions, it was completed well within its implementation timeframe and budget.
The project sets an example from which we can draw lessons for future programs and infrastructure projects. It provides us with a case, where aid was effectively designed to respond to a need; efficiently delivered in close partnerships among the parties; and where the project ownership was anchored in the management of the Executing Agency and the guaranteeing Government.
Both the Government of Fiji Islands and ADB are committed to reducing poverty. From experience we know, that reducing poverty requires sustained and rapid growth. Generating sustainable and socially inclusive growth -- calls for the basic building blocks - infrastructure, conducive institutional and legal frameworks; economic management in favor of the private sector; and functioning financial intermediation and corporate governance.
This project is an example that addresses these building blocks: The project provides a lifeline facility that is designed to withstand the weather related risks that the country is vulnerable to; the project has contributed to improved efficiency of the sector institutions and governance. With the implementation of the new Ports Corporation Legislation, Fiji will be able push cargo handling efficiency to a new level as cargo handling is planned to be opened for competition. And in combination with the plans to operate cranes on the strengthened King's Wharf, this productivity is expected reach to the top record in the region.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed my pleasure to celebrate with you the accomplishment of these important objectives as you inaugurate the new and improved King's Wharf to expanded cargo loads. At ADB, we continue to admire the professionalism of the team at the FPCL in implementing the project in record time. Already earlier in the year - on 31 of May - ADB acknowledged with pride that this Project may indeed be one of the most successful projects - if not the most successful Project in ADB's history in Fiji Islands and the Pacific.
Lastly, I would like to reaffirm our long-term commitment to improving the lives of the people in the Fiji Islands and the entire region. Many of you know that ADB has been Fiji's development partner since 1970, and has partnered in many development projects related to transport infrastructure, agriculture, power, water supply, and the financial sector. ADB has also had an association with the ports sector in the country since 1979 when - in the days of the Ports Authority of Fiji, PAF upgraded the Suva port for containerized cargo. We want to continue with our good cooperation and are committed to the development of Fiji Islands. This year, we are working with the Government to support expansion of alternative livelihoods options in the rural sector and development of the road sector. We also look forward to continuing work together to expand the potential of the ports sector. We are committed to strengthening our strategic partnership and deepening and broadening our development impacts - with benefits for all.
Thank you.
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