EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
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Box 4.2: Improving <strong>Infrastructure</strong> for National Development in Fiji<br />
In its ‘Strategic Development Plan: 2003 – 2005’ 3 , the Fijian Government describes the<br />
strategic priorities to be addressed in the medium term. This includes several infrastructure<br />
specific goals:<br />
Universal access to internationally competitive information and technology services. <strong>The</strong><br />
strategy explains that improved telecommunications services can help to boost Fiji’s<br />
employment, promote public and private sector efficiency, provide opportunities for rural<br />
development, and contribute to social development by enabling ‘telehealth’, ‘distance<br />
education’ and ‘e-Government’ services. Specifically, the strategy notes that “the high cost<br />
of these services is restraining future growth”<br />
To provide an integrated transport system that is safe, efficient, affordable, accessible to all<br />
and environmentally sustainable. Low levels of operations efficiency in road transport,<br />
ports, and outer island services are identified as constraints to growth in this sector. Policy<br />
objectives include ensuring adequate road maintenance and road cost recovery, improving<br />
shipping services and infrastructure to outer islands, promoting development of the<br />
aviation industry in support of tourism and expanding new industries relying on air freight<br />
To facilitate the development of a resource efficient, cost effective and environmentally<br />
sustainable energy sector. Policy objectives include ensuring that the demand for reliable,<br />
affordable electricity is met, increasing efficiency, accountability and cost effectiveness,<br />
and to promote energy conservation<br />
Increase access to safe drinking water and a sanitary waste disposal system. <strong>The</strong><br />
Government identifies low levels of cost recovery, resulting from low tariffs and inefficient<br />
operations as the major constraint to improved services in this sector. Policy objectives<br />
include expanding the water supply scheme to rural areas and upgrading urban and<br />
regional water schemes to improve quality and efficiency.<br />
Box 4.3: Key Development Areas for Kiribati<br />
<strong>The</strong> Republic of Kiribati’s National Development Strategy 4 highlights a number of<br />
infrastructure specific strategies to support development in six Key Development Areas.<br />
Strategies for Economic Growth include:<br />
Upgrading air and sea port facilities and associated utilities at locations where natural and<br />
human resources can combine in viable economic activity<br />
Ensuring reliable power and water supplies in existing urban areas<br />
Strategies for Equitable Distribution include:<br />
Devising a cost-effective maintenance methodology for outer island water supplies, roads<br />
and wharves<br />
Upgrading telecoms in all outer islands.<br />
Although it is not explicitly stated, infrastructure can also enable strategies in other Key<br />
Development Areas. For example, the development goal ‘Equipping People to Manage<br />
Change’ involves improving education and health services. Improved internet services can<br />
make it possible to upgrade teacher skills, or to strengthen nursing and public health training.<br />
Internet and computer access in turn depends on affordable, reliable electricity services.<br />
3 “Rebuilding Confidence for Stability and Growth for a Peaceful, Prosperous Fiji” Strategic Development Plan: 2003 –<br />
2005, November 2002, Parliamentary Paper No. 72 of 2002<br />
4 “Enhancing Growth and Ensuring Equitable Distribution” Republic of Kiribati, National Development Strategies,<br />
2004 - 2007<br />
12