Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) will use the newly approved budget to complete painting road shoulders from Maii to Avana and around Tupapa Health Clinic.

Secretary of ICI Elizabeth Wright-Koteka said the ministry had used up all its road marking paint and was unable to purchase new supplies due to budget constraints.

With the new financial year’s budget approved, Wright-Koteka said ICI had ordered new supplies and is looking to complete the road markings in the Muri and Tupapa areas.

Last month, Parliament approved $6,890,427 for ICI for the financial year 2024/25, and the majority of these funds are earmarked for the roads asset management and improvement programme (RAMP).

“Unfortunately, ICI had used up all its road marking paint and due to budget constraints had to wait for funding replenishment in the new year to purchase more road paint,” Wright-Koteka explained.

“Now that the new financial year funding has been approved, ICI has ordered road paint. Once ICI receives its road paint, it will proceed to complete painting the road shoulders from Maii to Avana and the vicinity around the Tupapa Health clinic.

“ICI apologises for the delay in road marking in these areas and looks forward to completing this in the next month.”

According to the 2024/25 Budget Book, the Rarotonga road network spans approximately 201 kilometres with varying degrees of wear and tear. Some sections of roads have experienced considerable deterioration due to weather conditions, erosion and heavy usage, failing to meet required standards of service.

Funding is allocated for planned maintenance and enhancements in accordance with the Road Asset Management plan. Planned works are earmarked to address structural pavement issues, improve roadside drainage, resurface roads, widen lanes, and enhance pedestrian facilities and safety measures.

During the budget debate in Parliament last month, Opposition MP for Akoa Robert Heather said that recent road statistics from the Arorangi main road, captured between November 2023 and January 2024 via traffic counter meters, reveal that an average of 14,500 vehicles ride the road monthly, with a total of 43,105 vehicles passing through the main road.

Heather said the road serves emergency vehicles, public transportation, transport businesses, cyclists, and residents.

“Our country’s two most prominent hotels have operated for 40 to 50 years, respectively, contributing significantly to our economy. We owe it to them to maintain better road conditions for our visitors and tourism to thrive.”

Heather added that there are over 2000 residents in Puaikura who are employed and pay their taxes, with companies and businesses also generating revenue and paying their fair share of taxes.

“We pay for vehicle registration annually, and our vehicles require a Warrant of Fitness every six months. Yet, our cars are continually exposed to potholes, requiring regular maintenance and repairs.”

Infrastructure Minister Albert Nicholas said the ministry’s capital budget had been significantly reduced to align with their fiscal capacity.

Nicholas said they are focused on completing one road from start to finish, rather than following the past culture of randomly working on multiple projects, resulting in unfinished roads.

“I acknowledge that financial constraints have resulted in slower progress than desired, but rest assured, my intention is to ensure all our roads are completed.”

Minister Nicholas added that work can only be completed as funds become available.