Wailevu villagers in Macuata want an evacuation centre to help protect them during natural disasters.

This was proposed by village headman, Senirusi Baleira, during the Government’s National Development Plan public consultations at the village on Wednesday night.

Mr Baleira said the village had suffered from floods and cyclones.

“All we want is an evacuation centre because the village is always affected during rainy weather and flooding,” He said.

He said they proposed for a double-storey evacuation centre.

“We thank Government for the consultation because it is an opportunity for villagers to voice their needs like having an evacuation centre.

“During flooding, villagers had nowhere to go with their household items. That is why we are asking for a double-storey building to be our evacuation centre.”

Divisional planning officer northern Alipate Bolalevu thanked the villagers for their submission because they live near a river.

“The need for the evacuation centre has been noted because we have to think of the villagers’ safety,” Mr Bolalevu said.

Mr Baleira said the villagers had identified a piece of land for the proposed evacuation centre.

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