It was a joyous occasion for 14 households of Dreka Settlement in Batiri outside Labasa after Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Ashneel Sudhakar commissioned their water borehole system yesterday.

They can enjoy clean and safe drinking water after 80-years of waiting patiently .

This would benefit more than 70 people.

Subhag Wati, 44, said: “The Prime Minister came to Batiri Village in 2016 and we made a request to him and after two years we have the comfort of drinking from taps.

“The water tank, piping, plumbing and all other cost, the government catered for,” Ms Wati said.

“I would like to thank the Government. Many people came and went, nothing was done, but as soon as the Prime Minister knew he directed his people.”

The settlement has been given two by 10,000 litres water tank and the mineral resources department had to dig 135ft to find water.

Pradeep Chand, 45, said before they used water from the nearby creek and well for all of their daily needs.

“Whole life we have suffered. My mother use to carry water in buckets and pots for nearly 2km. In rainy conditions, the water use to get dirty and we had no option, but to use the same water.

“Only when our children grew up then they used the bullocks and drum to cart water.

“We had never imagined that we will see tap water. In this Government’s reign I have seen tap water ,” he said

After the installation of tap water system, the residents have proper dishwashing sinks, bathrooms, toilets and water storage facilities.

Edited by Percy Kean

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