$87K Used To Fund Carting Of Water To Rural Areas

A total of $87,000 has been utilised by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development.

This in particular was for the current financial year to fund its Emergency Water Supplies programme.

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Inia Seruiratu said this made up 29 per cent of the $300,000 allocated for the programme.

The programme catered for prolonged dry periods where rural communities face issue with their water sources.

The ministry then deployed carts of water with accessories like water pumps, hoses, tanks, and other equipment.

He said there was slow utilisation of the allocated budget because of the forecast for the season and since Fiji was in a La Nina period where a lot of rainfall was recorded.

“While we have a lot of rainfall in most parts of Fiji, yet there are some places that are also experiencing water shortages or water problems and thus, the allocation,” Mr Seruiratu said.

In the Central Division, the tikina of Namara and Verata, which faces a lot of water issues, have received about 30,000 litres of water carted by the Ministry of Rural Development through the National Disaster Management Office.

Water Authority of Fiji have also carted about 45,000 litres of water.

Other areas include, Nailogatabua District School in Verata, Vunibokoi District School, Namara District School in Tailevu, Namara Nursing Station and the Verata Nursing Station.

In addition, the ministry had also carted water to Anitioki, Naisogovau, Naivakacau, Waikete, Daku, Vanuadina, Naqeledamu, Muana-i-ra.

In Rewa, Waica, Delaiveisari and Wailekutu.

In Naitasiri, the Vunidawa Government Quarters and Vuisiga, Baulevu Hillside.

In Serua, Nautovau, Nakoba, Navutulevu and Naqara Island in Namosi.

The ministry also hired a barge to cart water from Lautoka to Kia Island in the Northern Division which cost about $9000 and also supplied water tanks to Vatunibale awaiting further request from communities.

In the Western Division, the ministry had carted water to Yanuya and Tavuya Islands.

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