The construction of new seawalls in the villages of Votua–o–lailai and Tagaqe in the Western division is nearing completion.
This development which is intended to mitigate the rising sea level will also be welcomed by villagers whose homes and communities are often affected during high tide. The Nadroga/Navosa provincial administrator Peni Koro said the impacts of climate change and rising sea level were being felt not only in these villages but in other communities across the country.
“We are committed to providing the means and measures to help our people in their efforts to protect and mitigate the effects of climate change on their land and natural resources,” the Prime Minister said during the talanoa session when opening the St. Peter Channel Primary School.
“Government remains committed to ensuring that effective mitigation policies are implemented to minimise impacts of rising sea level and global warming as a result of climate change.”
The project, implemented by the office of the Prime Minister, funded the construction of seawall projects for the two villages while the construction of the seawall at Naboutini is progressing well.
Votua – o – lailai turaga ni koro Sireli Nauka said they had never seen a Government with a faster turnaround time.
“We have never had a request that has been answered so fast. We are grateful that the Prime Minister has delivered on his promise which he made in March, 2014,” Mr Nauka said.
“The seawall is a very critical feature to our villages because most homes are just by the sea.”
The climate change unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during its National Climate Change Policy launch highlighted there are 400 villages in Fiji that need to be relocated.
The cost of building seawalls in these three (Votua, Votua O Lailai and Tagaqe) villages cost $60,000.
All three seawalls will be completed before the end of the year.
-ENDS-