The Assistant Minister for the Ministry of Infrastructure Vijay Nath and the Chief Executive Officer of the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) Opetaia Ravai visited the village of Natadradave last week.

They held talks with the Natadradave village elder, Mr Waisake Laulaba regarding further assistance and improvements needed by the village to facilitate the growing number of Fijians who visit the site of the healing natural spring water.

“The village elder was very appreciative of the government’s assistance. We talked about doing some toilet facilities and WAF will work with the ministry to achieve that, toilet facilities for both males and females and at the bathing area we will try to beautify the place in putting embankments to create a small pool that will enable people who are waiting to have their showers to even take a dip in the pool,” said Mr Ravai.

Mr Nath said the Fijian government wants all Fijians to benefit from the healing water.

“I came here today and I saw that there are no washroom facilities and we have promised the village elder that my ministry will build washrooms at the site and we will also install the solar lights so that people can come here at any time in the night to have their shower. FRA is here too and I have instructed them to make a proper roundabout and the roads are a bit narrow so we will push the shoulders so that two vehicles can pass anytime,” said Mr Nath.

“All the agencies are here; WAF, FRA and we also have the team from the Energy division who will look into installing solar lights for those who come here at night and also down in the village where they will have the toilet facilities,” said Mr Ravai.

He said it was a good experience to bath in the water as well and to witness and observe the need of the people that are flocking in and “to actually know the need on the ground.”

“I thank the Assistant Minister for taking his time out to see the people and relay back the message to the ministry officials and all of us in the various agencies to assist the people here and not only the village of Natadradave but also people from all over Fiji and all over the world who are coming to Natadradave…Let us make the facilities better for them and make it more comfortable.”

The upgrade works is expected begin this week and is expected to conclude on Friday.