Nabuna's long wait for clean, safe drinking water ends

No family should have to struggle daily to access clean drinking water.

Mosese Bulitavu gave an assurance when commissioning a water supply project funded by the Government at Nabuna Settlement in Bua Province on Tuesday.

The Minister for of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management said water was life and essential for people’s health, livelihoods, children’s education and overall, well-being of the community.

Nabuna Settlement water committee president Joji Dua thanked the Government and for helping the settlement source clean drinking water and bringing it closer to their homes.

“There are about 16 households with more than 40 people and for over 50 years we drank water directly from a nearby natural spring which was the only water source for us,” Mr Dua said.

“Adults from the village had to carry buckets of water on foot or horse back from the spring to their houses.”

During the dry season there was a low water supply and during rainy weather the source turned muddy.

“This is the same water we used to drink, bath our children and do house cleaning, washing and cooking,” he said.

“Now we just have to open the tap in our houses and settlement and freely access safe water.”

Mr Bulitavu said access to safe and reliable water remains one of the most fundamental necessities for healthy and resilient communities.

“This investment will help improve health outcomes, reduce the burden on women and children who often bear the responsibility of fetching water and provide greater dignity and convenience for every household,” he said.

The $19,000-funded project is aligned with the ministry’s mission of promoting inclusive and resilient rural development through practical, community-driven initiatives.