MORE JOBS IN $224 MILLION PROJECT

Fijians will benefit in two ways with the construction of the $244 million Asian Development Bank funded water treatment plant in Naitasiri.

Apart from the project improving water supply to thousands of people, the majority of workers employed in the construction stage are expected to be Fijian youths from villages in the highlands.

Construction of the treatment plant in Viria, which is expected to start later this year, will

inject 40 megalitres of more water into the Water Authority of Fiji’s current network. The authority has carried out consultations in some villages to get the villagers’ views on the multi-million dollar project that will benefit people living in a wide area. Corporate communications officer Peni Shute said the authority had carried out consultations in some villages in Naitasiri and other areas to get their views on the project. Mr Shute said the authority was yet to carry out consultations in some villages and settlements as it was waiting for the village heads to let them know when they would be available.

“The consultations have been very great so far and one of the key questions asked by villagers is about opportunities for employment for village youths in the construction works,” he said.

“We are working with our contractor, Sino Hydro, and have asked them to make available some space for the village youths to work during the construction stage and they will look into it.

“They have their own human resource policy and all for recruitment, but according to them, the majority of workers in the construction process will be Fijians. “They will only get the engineers and other high-level workers from China.”

Mr Shute said the project would benefit quite a large chunk of the population. “The supply of water to the whole of Nasinu, Suva, Nausori and Tailevu will be boosted with the construction of the treatment plant in Viria. It will especially be a big boost for Nausori and areas in Tailevu,” he said. Edited by Susana Tuilau