Access to Proper Water Supply Part of Five-Year, 20-Year Development Plan
The target is for 100 per cent of Fiji’s urban population having access to clean and safe water by 2021 and rural and maritime areas by 2030.
So far 78 per cent of Fiji’s population, which is equivalent to 135,498 households, have access to proper water supply. This was revealed by the Minister for Waterways, Mahendra Reddy while officially opening the WASH Summit at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday.
He added that 25 per cent of the population which is equivalent to 43,281 households have access to central sewerage systems.
“Fiji had launched its five-year and 20-year National Development Plan in 2017 and has set the target of 100 per cent of Fiji’s urban population having access to clean and safe water by 2021 and rural and maritime areas by 2030,” Mr Reddy said.
“Similarly for the sanitation sector, 70 per cent of the population is targeted to have access to improved sanitation and centralised sewerage systems within the next 20 years.
“Sustainable and viable sewerage and sanitation options will be explored for rural areas to facilitate access of every Fijian household to a proper sewerage treatment system or facility.”
In an effort to assist fellow Fijians to have access to a better quality of life, he added the Government has removed the 10 per cent community contribution to rural water schemes and provided free water tanks for our rural and maritime communities.
“Government had allocated a combined total budget of $413million in 2017/18 for the implementation of WASH projects and programmes within the various ministries,” he said.
“This is an increase from $376m in 2016/17.
“In 2017/18, a total of 4905 water tanks have been installed in drought stricken communities and individual households. This is an increase from the 1801 water tanks installed in 2016/17.”
Mr Reddy said there had been tremendous impacts on investing in the WASH programme.
“Fiji has come a long way and we are now holistically addressing our water issues by also addressing wastewater, sanitation and hygiene,” the minister said.
Edited by Percy Kean