Water crisis must come first, says Western Commissioner

Water issues affecting villages in the Tikina o Wai and Lomawai must be addressed before other development projects are considered, says Western Division Commissioner Apolosi Lewaqai.

Mr Lewaqai made the comments during the 2026 Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council Meeting after traditional representatives raised serious concerns about ongoing water supply problems affecting nine villages in the area.

He said a budget submission had already been forwarded to the national government to help address the issue.

“This has been a long-standing issue. The resorts surrounding us have access to proper water supply, but our community members still do not,” Mr Lewaqai said.

Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, Ifereimi Vasu, asked community members whether the water issue was caused by a lack of government funding or problems with the water source itself.

Community representative Sairusi Tagivetaua explained that the main issue was the continued reliance on boreholes.

Mr Vasu said it was time for communities to move away from using boreholes.

“Enough of using boreholes these days,” he said.

Mr Lewaqai directed Nadroga/Navosa provincial administrator Vatia Vasuca to investigate the issue and meet with the Mata ni Tikina (district representatives) by next Friday to determine the causes and identify possible solutions.

Other concerns raised during the meeting included electricity supply, road infrastructure and health services. However, Mr Lewaqai stressed that water issues would remain the top priority.

“We will deal with this first before addressing other matters,” he added.