New Waterways Ministry Gets $24.4million

Anew Ministry for Waterways has been established by the Fijian Government. This has been done to address the growing threat that flooding poses, a threat that is projected to worsen due to the effects of climate change. The ministry will be responsible for the maintenance of drainage systems and management of waterways in Fiji, including creeks, tributaries and rivers.

The ministry’s mandate covers urban and rural communities. In its work to improve storm-water management, mitigate flooding and improve irrigation, the ministry will incorporate aspects of hydrological forecasting, drainage surveillance and realignment, waterway dredging and river embankment management.

The total budget for the Ministry of Waterways in 2017-2018 is $24.4million.

All existing drainage and dredging work in Government has been taken in under this Ministry, including the Land and Water Resource Management Division, which has been transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture.

$10 million is allocated for the detailed design for the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project. The allocation will fund capacity development initiatives, geotechnical investigations, topographic models, surveys and a project-management consultancy.

$2million is allocated for the maintenance and construction of infield drainage and the installation of culverts in waterlogged sugarcane farms around the country.

$3million is allocated for the purchase of dredgers to dredge rivers and tributaries as part of flood mitigation strategies to protect communities living around waterways.