The request for a seawall at Namatakula Village in Sigatoka has been answered.

This was made possible after the Ministry of Waterways and the British High Commission in Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement is  for enhancing climate resilience of Fiji’s coastal and riverbank communities through the provision of nature-based seawalls for the village.

A grant of $38,139 will be used to establish a nature-based solution seawall for Namatakula Village and will benefit more than 300 villagers and a primary school affected by the coastal inundation.

While officiating at the event in Suva yesterday, Minister for Waterways Mahendra Reddy said the completion of the Namatakula Village seawall project would address issues beyond coastal erosion.

“It will also restore the marine biodiversity across the coastline providing a home for marine species, replenishing their coastal stocks, and boosting food security in the future,” he said.

“Like other coastal communities in Fiji, Namatakula Village faces coastal erosion, along with increasing impacts from extreme weather events, including seawater intrusion and flooding that provides a threat to the communities.

“Therefore, an immediate action is needed to address and reduce the impact of coastal inundation that damage the infrastructure and causes threats to the villagers.”

Mr Reddy further alluded to the importance of nature-based seawalls while dealing with the problem that arises from climate change.

The High Commissioner to Fiji George Edgar commended the ministry for taking up the lead role for the completion of the project that would benefit more than 300 Fijians by protecting their homes and replenishment of Natural resources around the Namatakula Village.

“I am delighted to support this innovative project. I hope that it will provide valuable services to the villagers of Namatakula, and show the effectiveness of nature-based solutions,” he said.

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