Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu handed over a batch of equipment and tools to villagers of Naicabecabe, Nasauvuki, Navuti and Nasesara from Moturiki in the Lomaiviti Group yesterday to help in addressing some of the key issues faced by these villages on the island.

The equipment included water pumps, wheelbarrows, digging spades and solar lanterns.

The wheelbarrows and digging spades are expected to assist the villagers in the completion of the construction of their 2.5 km footpath from Naicabecabe Village to Nasesara Village. The project is fully funded by the Ministry under its Community Access Roads, Footpaths and Footbridges (CARFF) Programme.

The solar lanterns will assist the staff nurse based at the Moturiki Health Centre who is presently faced with lighting issues.

The water pumps are intended to assist villages on Moturiki in the draining and filling of their bathing pools. These pools are often affected by saltwater intrusion.

There are currently two big projects being implemented on Moturiki. These includes the island’s water project and the construction of the footpath that links the four villages.

Hon. Seruiratu said during his recent visit to Moturiki, the villagers had requested for assistance to enable them to help the Ministry in the completion of their footpath project.

He said the equipment handed over yesterday would assist the villagers on the island to continue work on the footpath project and also contribute to the improvement of living standards.

“The water pumps are for all the 10 villages on Moturiki,” Minister Seruiratu said.

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu and Commissioner Eastern Division Mr. Vitale Varo with Moturiki chief Ratu Waisale Draunidalo during the handover of equipment to villagers of Moturiki at the Waidalice Landing in Tailevu yesterday

“Moturiki has serious water issues that has been there from long ago and while we are awaiting the completion of the water project that is currently being undertaken, for them when it is high tide, there is saltwater intrusion to the pool that they use for bathing. With this comes debris and that has to be regularly cleaned. We currently have one water pump on the island on Moturiki, but unfortunately that is not enough for the 10 villages so they have requested for additional pumps and we have provided them with two. Hopefully, this will help them a lot in cleaning their bath pools so that it can help contribute towards good hygiene and health for the 10 villages on the island.”

Moturiki chief Ratu Waisale Draunidalo acknowledged Government for the timely assistance, saying the equipment handed over today would be of great help to people on the island.

“I’d like to thank Government for their service especially after the recent lockdown due to COVID-19. I believe Government is doing developments across Fiji and the only important thing is for us to listen,” Ratu Waisale said.

“These equipment will help the villagers a lot in completing our footpath and for that we’re very thankful.”