No Money To Protect Nadi Temple, Let Us Unite: Minister Reddy

The Nadi Sri Siva Subramani­ya Swami temple is in great danger of being washed away, says Minister for Agricul­ture, Environment and Waterways Mahendra Reddy.

Speaking during the Valibaar Sangam (TIV) Cultural Programme on Saturday, Mr Reddy said there was a river that runs adjacent to the temple.

He said the Ministry of Water­ways had done the engineering plan, brought on engineers and agreed to provide free technical support.

However, despite numerous re­minders and meetings with former temple executive members, Mr Reddy said he had been told that there was no money to invest for the protection of the temple and more than $300,000 was used for ‘frivolous court cases’.

“I know some of my colleagues have said that I shouldn’t talk about that but it’s important that we talk about these things,” he said.

“Frivolous court cases over $300,000 were wasted but they didn’t want to protect the Nadi temple which is an icon for the country.”

United Sangam

Mr Reddy reminded attendees that there was a need for unity.

“Any future Sangam must en­sure that we are inclusive rather than an exclusive club of few, un­fortunately for the past six years, the damage done to Sangam by some select few has done irrepa­rable psychological damage to our Sangam members,” Mr Reddy said.

“Every member of the Sangam has contributed one way or the other. No one should be asked what you did for Sangam.”

The Valibaar Sangam (TIV) Cul­tural Program was part of the Then Indi Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam 93rd Annual Convention which began on April 15 and con­cludes today at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

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