Viria to get $1.6m evacuation centre
Mr Tuisawau said Viria Village had played a significant role by allowing the construction of the new main raw water intake.
Monday 27 July 2026 | 08:00
Once completed, the double-storey building will include a Women's Resource Centre, a fully equipped kitchen, a dispensary, accessible washroom facilities and a community hall for meetings, training programmes, youth activities and other village events.
Fiji Government
Viria villagers are a step closer to having a modern evacuation centre after ground was broken last Friday for a $1.6 million facility that will provide a safe shelter during disasters and a new hub for community activities.
Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony in Naitasiri, describing the project as part of the Coalition Government's commitment to strengthening disaster resilience while recognising resource-owner communities that have contributed to Fiji's development.
Mr Tuisawau said Viria Village had played a significant role by allowing the construction of the new main raw water intake, a key project that will strengthen water security for the Greater Suva Area and surrounding communities.
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"Viria Village has played a vital role in Fiji's development by allowing the construction of the new main raw water intake, a critical infrastructure project that will strengthen water security for the Greater Suva Area and the lower-lying communities along the corridor. This evacuation centre is one way Government is giving back to the resource owners who have sacrificed for the national good," Mr Tuisawau said.
He said the Coalition Government remained committed to ensuring communities contributing to nationally significant infrastructure also received lasting development benefits.
The $1,604,107 project is part of a national programme to build modern, multi-purpose evacuation centres for resource-owner communities. Viria joins Nagado Village in the Western Division, Nasealevu Village in Macuata and Tamavua Village in the Central Division under the initiative.
Once completed, the double-storey building will include a Women's Resource Centre, a fully equipped kitchen, a dispensary, accessible washroom facilities and a community hall for meetings, training programmes, youth activities and other village events.
Construction is expected to take about 20 weeks, subject to weather and site conditions, with works to continue in the 2026–2027 financial year following the Government stand-down period.
Mr Tuisawau encouraged villagers to take ownership of the facility once it was completed.
"Today's groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It reflects our shared commitment to preparedness, resilience and ensuring that the communities who contribute so much to Fiji's development also benefit from meaningful Government investment," he said.
