Water supply problem resurfaces as Seaqaqa cane harvest continues

Sugarcane farmers in parts of Seaqaqa, Macuata, are facing renewed water disruptions, with some areas without a reliable supply for almost a week during the peak harvesting season.

Residents of Vunivere, Tadravula and Batiri say the latest disruption has affected their daily lives and raised concerns about delays to sugarcane harvesting.

Farmer Atish Kumar said the affected communities had experienced months of water disruptions earlier this year before repairs were carried out following concerns raised by this newspaper.

However, he said the problem had resurfaced since last week, with farmers now in the middle of the sugarcane harvest.

Mr Kumar said farmers were doing everything possible to keep harvesting on schedule, but basic infrastructure problems were affecting their livelihoods.

“We rely on sugarcane farming as the main and only source of income, so with water disruption, we are faced with the situation where our harvesting could be delayed,” he said.

Mr Kumar questioned the pace of work by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) team in Seaqaqa and said more needed to be done to prevent repeated disruptions.

“When there is media attention, then repair works are conducted, otherwise seems like we are not being heard by Government,” he reiterated.

He called on the Coalition Government to investigate the efficiency of WAF operations in Seaqaqa to ensure customers were not repeatedly affected by water disruptions.

Farmer Ilisoni Nate shared similar concerns, saying the lack of a reliable water supply was particularly difficult during the harvesting season when farmers depended on manual labourers.

“It becomes hard when there is limited or no constant water supply because water is a daily necessity for food preparations, bathing, washroom needs, cleanup etc after an extensive day's work,” he said.

Multiple attempts were made to contact Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau for comment, but no response was received.

Questions have also been sent to WAF acting manager Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Peni Shute.