Government has set aside $4m for the dredging of the Navua River.

Primary Industry permanent secretary – Mason Smith today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Railway First Group for the dredging of the Navua River.

Smith says river dredging is a high socio-political issue for the Government as they are looking at ways to reduce the risks, and impacts of flooding.

The project will be completed in six months.

The Rewa River dredging was also done by the China Railway First Group.

A further $60m will be spent to dredge the rivers around the country.