Waves crashing near his home became a nightmare for Kumi villager Semesa Malamala over the past years.

Mr Malala, 53, had sleepless nights.

Now he can enjoy his sleep because a new seawall will protect him.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama officially opened the new seawall at Kumi Village, Verata, in Tailevu yesterday.

Mr Malamala’s house is a few metres away from the shore.

“Every night when my family is sleeping, I always lie awake in fear, listening to the sound of waves crashing in front of my house. Back then there was no seawall in our village.

“Our village has been affected by the threat of rising sea level and soil erosion, we have tried to build seawalls that would protect us from such threats but it was all unsuccessful,” Mr Malamala said.

He thanked Mr Bainimarama and his Government for the village’s new seawall. He said it would build confidence among the villagers that they were saved from the threats of rising sea level.

“The two seawalls that were constructed by the villagers were damaged because the foundation weren’t strong enough to hold the pressure of waves crashing on our shores.

“But now with the new seawall, we are rest assured that houses will not be washed away due to rising sea level,” Mr Malamala said.

His son, Viliame Vuniyawea, said their house was usually flooded during a cyclone because their home was by the shore.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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