Dravuni Villagers Thank Government For Seawall
Village headman, Nikotimo Bole thanked the Government adding that after many years of struggling with the effects of climate change and having no seawall to protect the village, help finally arrived.
Saturday 13 June 2020 | 13:05
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with his delegation and villagers of Dravuni and guests during the commissioning of the seawall on June 12, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
Prayers were answered for the people of Dravuni Village in Tailevu after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commissioned the village’s new seawall project yesterday.
Village headman, Nikotimo Bole thanked the Government adding that after many years of struggling with the effects of climate change and having no seawall to protect the village, help finally arrived.
“It is indeed a joyful day to mark in our village history books as our fourth generation witness the commissioning of the seawall,” Mr Bole said.
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“When there’s a cyclone or high tide, the seawater crashes into the village and caused flooding.”
With a population of 108 people, youths of Dravuni Village over the years took on an initiative to build a temporary seawall for the village.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with children and villagers of Dravuni during the commissioning of the seawall on June 12, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
This 212-metre long seawall was funded by Government with an investment of about $500,000.
“We couldn’t stand by and watch the effects of not having a proper seawall so our youths came up with ideas to hold off and keep our village safe from the sea and natural disaster,” he said.
“Having the Prime Minister present today to commission the seawall is an answered prayer from all the villagers of Dravuni and the elders are truly grateful to have lived to see this day come to pass,” Mr Bole said.
Mereseini Nawavuka, 53, has lived in the village most of her life.
“This means a great deal of good change for us in terms of the protection of our village from the sea,” she said.
“When there’s a cyclone, the elderly have to be evacuated to higher ground because the sea water crashes right into the village and it’s always a struggle to get things back to normal,”
Ms Nawavuka worries that tidal waves tend to destroy the village agriculture.
“I’m thankful to the Prime Minister for finally considering the cries of the people of Dravuni,” Ms Nawavuka said.
“Now we are able to go out into the sea without any hassle as the seawall will enable us to get on and off the boat.
“We won’t have to worry about the sea tides coming into the village compounds.”
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
Feedback: kelera.sovasiga@fijisun.com.fj
