The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) chief executive Opetaia Ravai, has been re-elected unopposed as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Water and Waste Water Association (PWWA).

The selection was made at an extraordinary general meeting held in Canberra, Australia on November 29.

Mr Ravai has held the PWWA chairmanship since 2011, during which time PWWA membership has grown exponentially to 29 utilities from 23 countries.

This includes the Northern Pacific territory of Guam, country Federated States of Micronesia, as well as New Caledonia and Tahiti, in the French territories.

Under Mr Ravai’s chairmanship, the PWWA reform programme has resulted in the formulation and endorsement of its new constitution.

Also it has brought about two Ministerial forums of Water Sector Pacific Ministers.

He has been a driving force in securing PWWA funding through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), to fund the operations of the PWWA secretariat.

This include the remuneration of the secretariat staff and the full-time chief executive Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau, who was recently engaged by PWWA.

The allied membership has also increased, to 65.

The interest in this membership continues to grow amongst international water authorities and associations, private sector equipment and service supply companies, contractors, consultants and individuals.

Much of this growth can be attributed to Mr Ravai’s style of leadership.

It has been described by PWWA members as “pragmatic, accommodating and visionary, and is combined with his rapport with other PWWA stakeholders”.

PWWA was established in 1994, operating in the water and wastewater sectors.

The mission of the delivery is of quality water related services that enhance the well-being of people throughout the Pacific Island region.

EDITED BY: FARZANA NISHA

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