$101K investment brings life-saving facilities to Nabouciwa

The people of Nabouciwa Village in Tailevu are celebrating a new chapter of safety and comfort after the official opening of their new Evacuation Centre and Ablution Block on Wednesday.

The projects, which cost a total of $101,652.84, were officially commissioned by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka.

The funding came from the Ministry, while villagers and Carpenters contributed labour to make the project a reality.

The evacuation centre, valued at $52,359.43, and the ablution block, costing $49,293.41, will provide villagers with safer facilities, clean water, and proper sanitation, especially during natural disasters.

Mr Ditoka said the new buildings reflected Government’s strong commitment to protecting rural communities and improving disaster preparedness.

“These projects are not just about buildings, they are about saving lives,” Mr Ditoka said.

“We want to make sure our rural communities have cyclone-resilient shelters and access to clean, safe spaces when disasters strike’’.

He added that the investment shows the Coalition Government’s ongoing effort to support communities that are often most affected by severe weather events.

Village representative Lusia Mateni, from the Soqosoqo Vakamarama of Nabouciwa, said the people were “overjoyed” with the new facilities, which replace a hall built in 1972 that had suffered heavy storm damage over the years.

“This is pure joy for our village,” she said. “We now have a safe place to go during cyclones and a proper ablution block that meets our daily needs’’.

The new facilities will benefit all 34 households in Nabouciwa Village, providing not only safety but also a renewed sense of hope and resilience for the community.

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