Affordable, Reliable Electricity Powers Remote Ba Village

Decades of living in the dark at their remote Navala Village in the province of Ba is now a hurdle of the past for happy villagers.

This is after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday commissioned the Navala Grid Extension project.

Navala chief, the Tui Yalatina Ratu Sepiriano Tuinakauvadra, said villagers have finally had their lives powered and being connected to the grid would ensure higher living standard.

The investment of $650,000 for this extension will directly power the lives of more than 600 people in the village, the Navala Catholic School and two churches in the area.

“There will be new expectations for the young people on what their community can achieve,” Ratu Sepiriano said.

“Our future is bright, our forefathers have been talking about this day. Finally, it has been assured by this Government.

“This development will support our aspirations and dreams for a future with more opportunities, more services and progress for every family in our community.”

Village headman Abele Ramasei said, the occasion was a historic and memorable one.

“Energy has come this far. We may be far and remote but we will certainly enjoy this infrastructure and its benefits,” he said.

Village elder Maria Tolo also expressed her appreciation to the Fijian Government saying that through electrical power the women folk will benefit in many ways within their very homes.

Mr Bainimarama said the power of affordable and reliable electricity was undeniable. “It ranks among the most critical pillars for the development of any country, anywhere in the world,” the Prime Minister said.

“Fiji is no different and every Fijian deserves to share in the life-changing benefits that electricity provides.

“But seriously, the bottom line is that access to electricity spans the difference between a dark and uncertain tomorrow, and a bright, prosperous and promising future.”

As Prime Minister, he had the privilege of overseeing a massive expansion of access to electric power across towns, communities and on to some of our most remote maritime and deep rural pockets of Fiji.

“Our most recent census shows we’ve expanded access to electricity to 96 percent of our population; a remarkable achievement.” Mr Bainimarama said.

“And nearly 80 per cent of customers are now connected to our national grid. That number grows today.

“Friends, there’s only one way that such historic funding towards our infrastructure and services is possible and that is through our growing economy.”

PM praise EFL

Mr Bainimarama praised the EFL chairman, the Board, management and staff for making this project possible. This is for all their good work in expanding and improving the national grid, which has brought reliable electric power to a historic number of Fijians.

“EFL is spearheading one of our most important commitments to securing a sustainable future, by lighting the way forward in our nationwide shift to generate 100 per cent of our energy from clean, renewable sources by 2036,” he said.

Namau District School

Meanwhile, at Namau Village, also in the highlands of Ba, Mr Bainimarama commissioned the Grid Extension Project at Namau Public School.

A total of 153 families in Yasiyasi, Vesida mudamu and Namau will benefit from this project.

Advisory councilor Sarwan Kumar said: “We are so thankful to the Government of the day for its commitment to break the chain of false promises made by past government for proper power supply.

“Our children are blessed with better light for study, usage of computer in school and a sense of security in an isolated and scattered farming settlement.”

Edited by Percy Kean