Two years of water woes came to an end for 20 families in Naleba Settlement, Labasa after Government stepped in to assist.

On Friday, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, commissioned the Coqeloa and Wailoaloa water pump project.

Community water project president, Amrit Lal, said it was like an early Christmas gift for them.

“The borehole was built by our grandfathers in 1983,” Mr Lal said.

“Since then the families have spent more than $15,000 from their own pocket to attend to mechanical problems and replace parts.”

He said after being affected by Tropical Cyclone the community did not have the funds to replace the pump.

Community water project secretary, Hitendra Gounder, thanked Mr Seruiratu after his staff members at Macuata District Office attended to the community’s request.

“We are a family of six members and used to drink well water and sometimes buy drinking water from town,” Mr Gounder said.

“With the timely assistance we are now be able to save money and drink clean water.”

The project involved the purchase of two hose power submersible pumps to replace the existing pump which was old and having mechanical faults and at times disturbed the supply of water to families that are dependent on the water supply. The cost of the project is around $3463.

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