Earlier this year, Ms Henry’s plight to have access to proper water facilities was brought to the attention of the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The 61 year old who had been calling the Prime Minister's office since June this year was shocked when the Prime Minister visited her at home <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGS6Nd0_cek> in Lovu settlement to personally attend to her concerns.
The head of government was told that Mrs Henry was only one of thirty six families who have never had any formal water supply systems.
That all changed after the Prime Minister instructed engineers to assess the families’ request and to make relevant preparations to install proper water supply systems.
“I would like to acknowledge the government in assisting us with supply of water to our own respective houses,” Premila said.
“Most of us here are poor and not well educated, so am very thankful to the military officers who assisted us with the paper work” she said.
The Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki highlighted that while the Prime Minister’s office had funded two thirds of the total costs for the project, those families living in the settlement will cover the remaining costs through their water bills.
“We are also looking at other informal settlements in the western division to better address the need to have better access to safe drinking water”, Commander Cawaki said.
Meanwhile Mrs Henry is now looking forward to inviting the Prime Minister to her home to celebrate her new water supply.
(Editors, please note that video of the Prime Ministers meeting with the residents of Lovu can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGS6Nd0_cek)
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