Ogea is sinking: Headman
Villagers have been forced to plant inland as high tide and rising waters destroy plantations.
The rising sea level, due to climate change, combined with the high tide, are a daily threat to the families and villagers of Ogea in Southern Lau, says village headman Lolohea Napau.
Villagers of Ogea in Lau are feeling the effects of climate change as they continue to experience rising sea levels. The dry playground for the villagers has now been claimed by the rising seawater.
Village headman Lolohea Napau said the rising seawater has quickly claimed more dry ground within their village boundary. There is only one village on the island.
“The climate change impact is real and we see it every day along with the changes that have happened over the years,” Mr Napau said.
“When its high tide, sea water enters the village and destroys plantations, forcing villagers to plant root crops and vegetables further inland. “The playground I used to play at when I was a child is now under sea water. “Imagine what will happen to us in 10 years from today.
“Climate change is a reality for the village.” When Fiji Sun and Government officials visited the village on February 23, a group of children were playing innocently in a back yard of a house which turned into a small pool, not knowing of the danger they are exposed to.
“Children here are used to the way of life here. They learn how to swim first before they are sent to school,” he said.
“There have been no cases of drowning in the village as most villagers, including my three-year-old son, know how to swim.
“As of now a lot of places are now flooded by high tide and during bad weather,” he said.
He said they have built sea walls and planted mangrove as a barricade yet sea water still enters the village. “We have planted mangrove, our youth group have built the sea wall, but the solution to the rise in sea level remains futile,’’ Mr Napau said.
“We have been asked by Government to relocate the village.
“However, we cannot move from this current location as we heavily rely on the sea for food and is our source of income.’’
Imagine what will happen to us in ten years from today. Climate change is a reality for the village. Lolohea Napau Village headman