Borehole relief after nine-year wait for Natewa villagers

A nine-year wait for a properly constructed borehole has finally ended for villagers in Natewa, Cakaudrove.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka commissioned the $137,000 project yesterday and challenged villagers to avoid abusing the vital resource.

Mr Rabuka said 240 villagers would benefit from reliable access to drinking water.

The request was first made in 2017, when the Department of Mineral Resources (MRD) sent a survey team. A follow-up visit was conducted the following year.

MRD director Apete Soro said work on the borehole was placed on hold for eight years before resuming last year.

The borehole is five metres deep and located a few metres from the village.

Mr Rabuka cautioned villagers to minimise wastage, noting the borehole was solar-powered and could source 23 litres of water per day.

"The borehole will only work on solar, you need to remember the extraction rate as earlier stated for the borehole," he said.

"Use it properly, do not abuse as it will ensure its longevity"

The project is expected to boost services at the Natewa Health Centre and Natewa District School.

Mr Rabuka said access to clean drinking water for all communities in Fiji remained a priority for his Government.

Villagers welcome relief

Turaga na Vunivalu Natewa, Ifereimi Buaserau, acknowledged the Government for delivering the long-awaited project.

"We feel overwhelmed with this assistance because this problem has been bothering us for many years," he said.

Mr Buaserau said improved access to drinking water would ease previous health concerns.

He said children’s health would improve with access to disease- and infection-free water.

"Previously our children had to drink water which had salt water intrusion concentration where materials such as sand and small pebbles was present in our drinking water," he said.

He added that skin rashes and frequent stomach aches had affected villagers because of the previous water source.

Mr Buaserau said the village would need to strategise its water use to serve 240 residents.

When asked whether 23 litres would be sufficient to meet daily demand, he said every villager would need to take responsibility to prevent misuse.