The Ministry of Waterways has set aside five million dollars for dredging work to be carried out at the Sigatoka River.

Minister for Waterways Dr Mahendra Reddy says the Government tender board has awarded the dredging contract to a contractor.

He says a joint survey will be carried out from this week before the dredging work begins next week.

“Total project cost for the Sigatoka River Dredging from the bridge to the river mouth that will cost us slightly over five million dollars. Duration of the project is seven months and we are looking at a total volume of 750 thousand cubic meter of silt material to be extracted.”

Dr. Reddy says a team is undertaking survey work from the bridge upstream to clean up the debris from the river.

He says dredging the river will reduce the chances of flooding in low lying areas along the river during heavy downpours.