MINISTER FOR LANDS & MINERAL RESOURCES JONE USAMATE'S SPEECH AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NAMATA PRIMARY SCHOOL BOREHOLE

The Management of Namata Primary School
Teachers
Parents
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
 
Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
 
It’s great weather here in the West and it gives me great pleasure to be here to officiate the commissioning of the Namata Primary School borehole project. 
 
At the outset, I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to the warm words of welcome accorded to me and the Government team that is here today. 
 
Also, I wish to thank and acknowledge the staffs of the Mineral Resources Department and all of you involved in the implementation of this project. Your tireless effort have seen the successful and timely execution of this project. Vinaka vakalevu
 
I am told that this community is located in one of the driest part of Viti Levu which has experienced critical water shortages annually for most parts of the year.
 
In this regard, I wish to thank the management, teachers, parents and students for your patience and today, I can say that  ‘your waiting season has come to an end’. 
 
Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, the right to safe and clean drinking water in adequate quantities is enshrined under Section 36 of the 2013 Constitution. 
 
In achieving this, we have set ourselves a target under Fiji’s 5 year to 20 year National Development Plan for all Fijians to have access to safe and clean drinking water by 2030. 
 
In making this a reality, Government have invested in water projects such as this. 
 
This $82,000 borehole project will benefit 73 students together with 5 teachers and their households. 
 
From today onwards, you will not only enjoy clean water but  this will improve your livelihood as you now have improved, reliable and adequate supply of quality water.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today not only to officially commission the borehole project but to also hand it over to the school. This means that from today, the school will be responsible for the management and upkeep of the borehole. 
 
In this regard, I urge the school management  and responsible water committee to undertake necessary measures to ensure that the borehole is maintained and the school to have consistent water supply.
 
Firstly, groundwater must be managed well and should not be used as the ultimate water source to solve all water problems. So, together with groundwater, the use of other available and safe water sources such as rainfall harvesting is also important.
 
Secondly, these water sources are to be protected from any possible causes of contamination and must be well maintained.
 
Finally, it is strongly advised that the school strictly follow the recommended pumping rate and pump durations. Failure to do so will lead to unsustainable supply and unsafe or poor water quality.
 
To conclude, I wish to leave you with a message and that is – “Every Drop of Water Counts”. You will never know the worth of water until it is dry. So, conserve water and use it wisely.
 
Government has brought clean drinking water to your doorstep - it is your responsibility to ensure that it is put to good use. 
 
On that note, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me immense pleasure in commissioning the Namata Primary School Borehole Project. 
 
Thank You, Vinaka Vakalevu, Bahuut Dhanyvaad