Clear Waters Please Wainadoi Residents

The thrill of having to bathe in the clear, pristine Waisulubonu creek has been a long time coming for residents of Wainadoi.

This was made possible after an ongoing gravel extraction work was given a stop work order (SWO) last month.

While this work is a contribution to several key economic sectors, the extraction of gravel from Fiji’s perennial rivers have been a driver of environmental change, controversy, and conflict.

BEFORE: The Waisulubonu Creek during the gravel extraction works. Photo: Raymond Quai Hoi

Ministry’s  Response

In Parliament this week, Opposition Member Lenora Qereqeretabua commented on the stop work order that was approved a week ago.

“The extraction from the Waisulubonu Creek has stopped for now but the damage has already been done,” Ms Qereqeretabua said.

“Mr Speaker, because at any one time there would be up to three diggers working in the creek with seven different trucks taking loads. The banks of the creek are damaged and weakened for about 350 metres downstream.

“Now, Wainadoi children often go to the creek to brush their teeth, wash clothes and bathe and I would hate to think what could happen if a weakened bank were to suddenly collapse on a group of frolicking kids.

“Families from Suva to Navua often go to Wainadoi to enjoy what used to be the cool clear creeks, but I am told that when the extraction was happening you only had to stand on the Wainadoi River Bridge to see silt travelling to the sea, silt which would then settle on the reef  surronding Naqara Island, endangering the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the families who live there and who rely on the reef for their food. So much for all the hot air from our oceans champion,” she said.

Questions on the gravel extractions were sent to the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate, and the Minister for Waterways and Environment, Mahendra Reddy.

It remained unanswered when this article went to press.

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