Tagaqe Villagers Battered By Waves
“We have written our grievances in an application to have a proper seawall built to save our homes, but nothing has been done.”
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | 10:29
Sainimili Cemumu at her home in Tagaqe Village along the coral coast on the Queens Road highway.
The rise in sea level is creating fear among villagers of Tagaqe along the coral coast on the Queens Rd.
Sainimili Cemumu, who has lived in the village for more than 20 years, said the scenario seemed to be getting worse with the coastline being slowly washed away.
“Many nights we are awake feeling helpless and watch the waves crash onto our homes,” Ms Cemumu said.
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“We have written our grievances in an application to have a proper seawall built to save our homes, but nothing has been done.”
Ms Cemumu said members of their landowning units have taken the initiative to build a seawall.
Sainimili Cemumu’s house in Tagaqe Village along the coral coast on the Queens Rd.
Another Villager, Samisoni Kaitu, said the great impact of how they have viewed climate change has gone worse.
Mr Kaitu, who has spent most of his childhood at Tagaqe Village, has so far never experienced any serious damage to his home and surroundings.
“I’m living in fear everyday as I witness some homes are being destroyed by huge waves,” Mr Kaitu said.
“This is my home and relocating would be a last option for me and my family.’’
Government response
Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka said they would have to look into issue.
He plans to get in touch with their officials at the Nadroga Provincial Office who will find alternative solutions about building a seawall.
While building seawalls are costly, Mr Ditoka said there as a demand for seawalls in the rural and maritime areas.
“It’s a big budget item one project alone or two would take up an allocation for a year,” Mr Ditoka said.
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