Navakai Flooding Issues Solved
Mr Reddy calls on Fijians to refrain from throwing rubbish and household waste into waterways.
Wednesday 21 April 2021 | 12:38
Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy.
Completed drainage works in the settlement of Navakai in Nadi has benefitted close to 250 residents and 50 households.
Dainage works in the settlement’s main/public drains that addressed flooding issues were managed by the Ministry of Waterways.
Advisory counsellor, Sanjay Kumar Verma said de-silting and drainage works provided a relief for the settlement and protected the communities from flood.
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Mr Verma said that timely assistance on the drainage from the ministry prevented flooding in the communities during the two cyclones earlier this year.
“The work was done last year in December just before the cyclone and during the rainy season and during the flood and cyclones earlier this year, there were no floods, no household was affected in the community unlike what used to happen in the past,” he said.
He said flood waters used to enter houses in the settlement during the rainy days prior to the construction work.
Mr Verma added that transportation services were also affected in the past due to poor drainage and flooded roads.
“This would affect people’s daily activities including the school children who at times missed their bus as transportation services come to halt.
Mr Verma thanked the Ministry of Waterways for providing timely assistance that has benefited the whole community.
He said the ministry played a big role as one of the major flood gates was constructed a few years ago and now with their continuous drainage programme,” he said.
He said the drainage works had provided a relief for close to 20 farmers who will boost their farming activities in the Navakai Settlement.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy has called on Fijians around the country to refrain from throwing rubbish and household waste into waterways.
Mr Reddy said this often posed a threat of flooding.
He said keeping our waterways clean was everyone’s responsibility, because these waterways play a vital role in safeguarding the communities and households from the flood.
He said it was everyone’s responsibility to keep their environment clean.
He said the ministry continues to ensure that concerns of flooding are solved in affected communities through the ministry’s continuous drainage programme.
