RAKIRAKI – Twenty families in Narau Settlement are now enjoying access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water following the commissioning of the Narau Water Project by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Mosese Bulitavu.
The newly completed water project brings to an end decades of hardship for families who previously relied on a nearby creek for their daily water needs.
For 66-year-old Ms. Linieta Dreka, who has lived in the settlement for more than 30 years, the commissioning marked a deeply emotional milestone.
“This is a new chapter for us. For many years, life was very hard. As mothers, we had to carry buckets of clothes down to the creek to wash, to bathe, and to fetch water for cooking and drinking,” Ms. Dreka said.
She explained that the situation worsened over time as livestock farming increased upstream, making the creek unsafe for consumption.
“When there were more livestock farmers, it became too risky to drink from the creek. We later depended on a small water source, but the supply was never consistent. That is why we are truly thankful to Government for this assistance. It will really improve our lives here in the settlement, especially for our children,” she said.
The Narau Water Project was completed at a cost of $34,000 under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s High-Risk Water and Sanitation Programme. The project provides households with reliable access to safe drinking water, significantly improving health, hygiene and daily living conditions.
In commissioning the project, Hon. Bulitavu said access to clean water was fundamental to improving quality of life in rural communities.
“Access to safe and reliable drinking water improves health outcomes, strengthens food security and saves valuable time for families, particularly women and children who often bear the burden of water collection,” he said.
He added that the project reflected Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“Today’s occasion reflects Government’s firm commitment to development that reaches our rural and remote communities and ensures that no Fijian is left behind,” Hon. Bulitavu said.