Nakawaga Village Turaga-ni koro (headman) Jone Ravoto said relocation from their current site on Mali island was not an option, because it would be too expensive.

“No, we cannot relocate, if we were to move then it would be very expensive and as you can see our only source of income is through fishing,” Mr Ravoto said.

The 20-year-old seawall along their coastline no longer stands to protect them from the rising sea level and villagers are beginning to panic.

And Government’s advise to the 145 villagers for relocation was not an option because of financial constraints.

Mr Ravoto said one thing they were working on now was the reconstruction of their seawall.

However, Mr Ravoto said any new homes would have to be built on a new site on a hill behind the village.

“We have raised this concern with the relevant Government authorities and they said to work out what we need for the seawall,” he said.

Mr Ravoto said the seawall that used to be a blockade for their village from strong waves and  rising sea level was badly eroded and almost invisible during high-tide.

“The tides are eating at our beach front and the waves are moving into the village green,” he said.

“We have been doing fundraising here in the village and the same for Nakawaga villagers in other parts of the country. Whatever we raised we have been able to carry out works little by little on the seawall.

“The villagers are witnessing first-hand the damages being done and we are working hand in hand to raise our seawall to seven feet.”

Mr Ravoto said the Commissioner Northern’s office have promised to help them in one of their recent visits to the island.

There are a total of 31 houses in the village on Mali which is part of the Macuata Province.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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