NANISE NEIMILA
“Today will go down in history books for the people of Waibalavu village as we celebrate the new beginning especially for our children.” These were the jubilant words of Noa Rasausauira, 52, as the 50 year long wait for electricity in the village, tucked in a remote part of Naitasiri, was finally over.
Mr Rasausauira shared his story and said that since birth he was a living testimony of lighting kerosene lamps and candles and living in darkness due to financial constraints.
“I grew up with lanterns and candles because sometimes our parents could not afford to buy kerosene so there was no other choice but to stay in the dark. Since my forefathers settled, we never had the privilege of accessing proper electricity.”
“Gone are the days where we have to buy kerosene for our lanterns or candles for our children to study.” Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, while commissioning the rural electrification project, said the Government is committed to extending electricity to all Fijians.
“For years, power has run through Waibalavu to reach other more populated areas. You’ve seen the electric cables and you’ve watched as neighbouring communities lit up at night.”
“But those days of watching electricity, run through, but not to Waibalavu are forever behind you. Today, you have become more than spectators-today, you are in the game as the latest participants of our national development.”
Prime Minister Bainimarama told the villagers of Waibalavu that like any other Fijian, they deserve the right to fully participate in the economic prosperity and growth that is sweeping our country.
“You as much as anyone, deserve the chance to study, to cook, to find entertainment and to congregate at any time of the day and with ease and security. You as much as anyone, deserve to live with the comfort of knowing that you have left your children and grandchildren with brighter future. My Government not only recognises electricity as a fundamental right, we see it not as a cost, but as a larger investment in our economy as a whole –– one that will be covered in full through the newly-released potential of the 250 Fijians who now have connection to our national grid.”
The fully-funded project cost government $338,000 and this will provide 55 households with safe and proper electricity. PM Bainimarama adds the completion of this extension is the result of careful planning, long term thinking and a steady flow of investment from Government.
“Over the past five years, Government has provided funding of $224 million towards the energy sector, in which 70 cents of every dollar spent in the sector have gone directly to rural electrification.”
“So far, over 25,000 Fijian households have felt the benefits of rural electrification. While the individual communities we light up with this initiative may be small, with tens of thousands of Fijians as beneficiaries, the collective impact has been massive.”