A rural water project for Nasukamai Village in Ra marked a new era for 450 community members.
They now join 78 percent of Fijians who enjoy the convenience and necessity of accessing safe, clean water.
“In the last five years, the Government through Water Authority of Fiji has allocated $4.5 million towards rural water projects in the province of Ra,” noted Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Jone Usamate.
Accordingly, a total of 69 rural water projects have been implemented in the country’s largest province.
“It is Government’s intent that no one is left behind particularly our rural dwellers in all provinces including Ra. The construction of this water project has cost $125,000 and it is an investment we are happy to make, because from clean water flow many benefits that keep us more productive and more resilient to environmental hardships.
“To guarantee a clean and steady flow of water to the people of your community, there is a construction of a new dam, lying of 0.9km of pipeline, and installation of standpipes.”
A total of 100 households are now connected to the water system, with a village water committee overseeing conservation measures.
Through the WAF, the Fijian Government has allocated $11.3 million for 32 water schemes in rural areas, under the National Budget 2019/2020.
Through the WAF Rainwater Harvesting Scheme, over 11,400 water tanks have been distributed across the country, with a provision of $3 million in the new national budget to continue these essential resources.