Government continues to work towards fulfilling the Constitutional right of every Fijian to having access to quality, safe and clean drinking water.
The recent completion of the Cikobia Water Pump Project in Vanua Levu by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management is a testament to this commitment undertaken by Government.
The water project was completed under the Ministry’s Self- Help Programme in the 2019/2020 financial year at a cost of more than $10,000.
Through the project, about 100 Fijians in 26 households from four villages – Vatulele, Nautovatu, Nalele and Vuninuku and Cikobia District School now have access to safe and clean water.
The project involved the upgrade of the water pump for Nautovatu and Vatulele and the upgrade of piping system for Nalele and Vuninuku.
Prior to the commencement of the project at Vatulele and Nautovatu, villagers were sourcing water from an old water pump, however when it was damaged, villagers had to fetch all drinking, cooking and water for bathing through rainwater harvesting.
The project also included the hiring of officials from the Water Authority of Fiji to carry out some technical works.
Other works involved included the installation of water tanks, laying of pipes and upgrade to existing connection in each respective villages.
A project brief by the Office of the Commissioner Northern Division stated that water problems on the island of Cikobia was not a new issue as this had been previously raised in Tikina Council Meetings through the Mata-ni-Tikina.
Due to the increase in population and houses erected in the four villages, the absence of any upgrade to their water system had really put them in struggling situations.
However, with the completion of the project, villagers are enjoying the rights that they have - to drink safe and clean water.
The completion of this project is also part of Government’s work towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by ensuring that Fijians have access to clean water and sanitation and targets in its 5 Year and 20 Year National Development Plan.