Lakeba villagers seek Govt help for evacuation centre, seawall

Lakeba villagers in the Namuka district of Macuata are seeking urgent Government assistance to construct a dedicated evacuation centre and seawall as cyclone threats and rising seawater continue to endanger their community.

Village headman Apenisa Kolivuso said the absence of a proper evacuation facility left villagers vulnerable during severe weather.

“We don’t have an evacuation centre. Our church building currently acts as a temporary shelter,” he said.

He questioned how long the structure would withstand stronger cyclones and worsening tidal surges.

Mr Kolivuso said seawater inundation during cyclone-driven high tides frequently entered the settlement, damaging homes, fibreglass boats and crops.

“We face a lot of difficulties because of seawater inundation during tidal surges influenced by cyclones,” he said.

He said a seawall was urgently needed to prevent further damage and protect limited farming land used for subsistence crops.

Lakeba Village headman, Apenisa Kolivuso.

Photo: Sampras Anand

With restricted land for agriculture, villagers rely heavily on farming and fishing for survival. Their seafood catch is transported to the Labasa Market for sale, while suluka (tobacco leaf) farming provides an additional source of income — both increasingly threatened by extreme weather and seawater intrusion.

Mr Kolivuso said many maritime villages had benefited from Government-supported evacuation centres, but Lakeba remained without one.

Hope was recently restored after the commissioning of a borehole by Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimone Vosarogo during a visit last Friday.

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources commissioned a new groundwater system. This project, valued at $103,000, will provide safe drinking water to 35 resident households, benefiting over 170 residents.

Mr Kolivuso said the development reassured villagers that their concerns were being heard, and several requests, including for an evacuation centre and seawall, were submitted during the visit.

He also raised concerns about road access, urging the Fiji Roads Authority to improve and maintain the village road to ensure consistent access to markets, particularly during heavy rainfall.

“We are located far from the Labasa Market, so we need the road to be in good condition to sell our produce,” he said.