Relief for Labasa's Water Catchment Landowners

Government, on Wednesday, approved $275,000 to upgrade the road leading to Nasealevu Village in Macuata.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka revealed this in Taveuni yesterday while addressing chiefs and district representatives during the Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting.

Nasealevu is home to Labasa Town’s main water catchment. And for almost 50 years, villagers had been pleading with government to provide them with a proper road.

Earlier this year, villagers had expressed through this newspaper their intention to cut off water supply to Labasa.

About 28,000 people rely on the water source, including Labasa Hospital, Labasa Corrections Centre, and schools.

Mr Rabuka said the upgrade of the Nasealevu - Savusavuitaqa access road was prioritised for implementation in the 2023-2024 National Budget under the Requisition Incur Expenditure.

“Rural roads now come under the Public Works Department (PWD). In cooperation with the Commissioner Northern’s Office, PWD carried out scoping works on this rural access road in November 2023,” he said.

“The request for RIE was submitted in February to the Ministry of Finance. The finance ministry has this week approved the release of funds to PWD for the Nasealevu Road upgrade. I have been advised by the Commissioner Northern that, in accordance with procedure, once funds are released from the Ministry of Finance, PWD will commence the road upgrade.”

Mr Rabuka said the onus was on governments to fulfil the request for development projects to meet the needs of the people.

He said each government had the responsibility to build and improve on the progress made by previous governments.

“The People’s Coalition Government will implement this rural road upgrade project for the communities who live along the Nasealevu - Savusavuitaqa access road,” Mr Rabuka said.

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