The residents of Dreka Settlement in Macuata will get electricity connected by July, says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Mr Bainimarama was responding to concerns raised by members of the community during a meeting last night.

“Our homes have been equipped and ready for the electricity to reach us, but there still has been no action in connecting the electricity lines to our homes,” resident, Santa Wati said.

“Our houses are wired and have been for three years by the relevant authorities, but we still use candles in the night.”

Frank Rokowaqa, the prinicipal technical officer for the Department of Energy told Mr Bainimarama that they had included this in their budget for the year.

Mr Rokowaqa added that this was with the Government Tender Board awaiting their approval and they would get to it by July this year.

Mr Bainimarama assured Ms Wati that they would get their electricity by July this year.

In an interview with Ms Wati, she said: “I am very happy, and I appreciate the Prime Minister for coming here today to listen to our plight and addressing them.”

Bridge at Vunikawakawa

The Fiji Roads Authority had been ordered to direct funds for the Vunikawakawa Bridge in Labasa to the Prime Minister’s office.

The directive came from Mr Bainimarama after concerns were raised from the villagers that the bridge had been down for three years and three lives were lost as a result.

Petero Namoce told Mr Bainimarama during a Talanoa session in Labasa on Thursday: “We have been made false promises.

“We have been told that it would be done tomorrow or next week, but it never comes.

“For two straight weeks we have not been attending school due to the rainy weather because the river gets flooded forcing people to swim to get to the other side.

“Three lives have also been lost in three different incidents while attempting to cross the river, and these are not children, but grown men. Sir, we need your assistance on this.”

The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces Troop Commander Engineer Northern Division Vito Tagivetaua informed Mr Bainimarama that they had liaised with the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) about the project, but were waiting for the funding from FRA.

Mr Bainimarama demanded an explanation for the lack of action from the FRA.

He directed FRA to forward the funding for that bridge to his office and they would channel it the RFMF engineering team so work could soon start.

Water woes for Galoa school ends

Galoa Island Primary students in Bua have always relied on rain water ever since the school’s establishment.

Their plight was brought forth by the school’s head teacher Rishi Ram during Mr Bainimarama’s talanoa session in Dreketi yesterday.

Mr Ram said the school had no stable water source, but had relied on rain harvesting to supplement its daily consumption.

“I have been in the school for two years and I have seen the struggle and the pain the parents and students encounter on a daily basis,” Mr Ram said.

“There are 93 students with four pre-schoolers.

“We appreciate all that the Government has done and continues to do for our education system for the betterment of the students, but I am pleading that we take these island students into consideration.”

He added that during droughts they have to come to the mainland for their water supply.

Mr Ram said apart from other things, this was their biggest challenge.

Mr Bainimarama referred the issue to the relevant Government departments, demanded an explanation and called for action.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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