The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Parveen Kumar yesterday applauded employees in the water and sanitation industry for ensuring quality water supply in the country.

While opening World Water Day celebrations at the Labasa Civic Centre yesterday, Mr Kumar said these people worked tirelessly behind the scenes to eliver quality drinking water to the all the people.

“Almost half of the world’s workers today which is approximately 1.5 billion people work in water related sectors and interestingly nearly all jobs not only depend on water, but also on those that ensure safe delivery,” Mr Kumar said.

“Jobs in water sectors serve as the building block for a wide array of water dependent on job opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, energies and industries.

“This year’s theme “Water and Jobs” focuses on how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers lives and livelihoods which transform societies and economies.”

He said this included the Water Authority of Fiji and other organisations that have put in tremendous efforts in ensuring the nations recovery from Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“Even during Tropical Cyclone Winston earlier this year, while most essential services were disrupted, water supply in urban areas remained normal,” Mr Kumar said.

“Furthermore, water supply services were restored in most of the affected areas especially in rural communities within a few weeks after the cyclone hit Fiji.”

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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