Residents of Port Vila have welcomed the ongoing roadworks currently taking place in the capital.

As works progress, drivers are being urged to slow down because of heavy dust along the roads.

The project, led by the Department of Public Works, comes as a long-awaited answer to repeated complaints over the poor condition of Port Vila’s roads, which have drawn heavy criticism of the government for years.

Maintenance began with clearing road shoulders and patching some of the worst areas of town, including Nambatri and Freshwota.

“As a community leader, I am happy with the government. They came and fixed the roads. Now all households, markets, and nakamals are happy. A truck to wash the road is also needed because the dust is causing coughs around the community,” one resident said.

According to the Prime Minister, the current sunny weather is helping the progress of roadworks. But at the same time, the dry conditions are creating clouds of dust affecting nearby residential areas, especially Freshwota.

“Drivers of trucks and other vehicles must slow down and respect the public walking on the roads,” another community leader stressed.

Public Works has appealed for patience, saying the rehabilitation process will take time before it reaches the final stage of laying asphalt (coltar).

In the Central Business District, fresh bitumen was laid over the weekend from Unelco to the old police station.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation of Efate’s Ring Road has also started at Tagabe. Contractor Pierre Prunnet said the first stage involves patching potholes around Efate.

Potholes remain the main concern for most road users.

Government has allocated over VT 9 million for Efate Ring Road rehabilitation and VT 1 billion for the Port Vila road upgrade project.