Conclusive Evidence Needed On Oil Leak Issue’

Conclusive evidence and studies must be done to determine whether the oil leakage that is supposedly causing the degradation of the Viseisei Village reef, is coming from the Vuda depot.

This was said by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Mahendra Reddy. 

Mr Reddy was responding to a question raised by Meli Tora during the Talanoa session after the Viseisei Village nature-based solution seawall ground breaking ceremony on Monday.

Meli Tora claimed an oil leakage supposedly coming from the Vuda depot was seeping into the Viseisei Village water causing the degradation of the village reefs.

“The reefs have died due to a spillage from the Vuda depot, there has been a lot raised by the representatives of the village for any consideration by those who own those depots,” he alleged.

Mr Reddy said the Ministry will look into the issue as claimed. 

Nature-based solution seawall

More than 150 households in the Village are expected be protected from the impacts of rising sea level with their new seawall.

The project, which costs $23,400, is expected to be completed by February 2022.

Viseisei Village headman Anare Tuidraki said: “It’s been seven years that we have been requesting for this and we want to thank Minister Mahendra Reddy for coming today for the groundbreaking ceremony for our seawall in Viseisei,” he said.

“On behalf of the Tui Vuda I want to convey our thanks.”

Mr Reddy said this was the largest nature-based solution seawall to ever be built. It spans a total of 500 metres. 

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