The Coalition Government plans to expand international efforts to improve water services in the country, given the limitations of Fiji’s national coffers.
The Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau stated that water cannot be delivered without energy, so when discussing climate financing, the water-energy nexus is crucial.
In this regard, opportunities must be efficiently utilised.
“We must remember that for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Fiji, the availability and accessibility of basic utilities such as energy and water are of paramount importance for daily survival, particularly for our grassroots communities. This includes not only water and energy but also roads.”
Minister Tuisawau emphasied the need to champion water-energy annexes at the grassroots level as a means to alleviate poverty, serving as a catalyst for transformational impact on daily lives.
“We must target this nexus when considering climate financing, especially in the scope of assessing natural spring or groundwater resources using the latest solar voltaic technology, such as solar-powered borehole pumps or solar-powered desalination plants.”
This can be addressed through innovative programmes using smart national-level frameworks, which can serve as a transformational catalyst, especially for maritime communities.
“The Coalition Government has taken a significant step in its relationship with catchment landowners, with Cabinet approval for the development of a framework and policy for compensation for standing trees in catchment areas.”
“As a government, we will continue to listen to all stakeholders, especially landowners, and address their issues within our current legal frameworks.”