OUR GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT ALL FIJIANS HAVE ACCESSS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER
WHY IS THE DRAMASI IRRIGATION WATER SOURCE IN TAVUA A BIG DEAL FOR ALL OF US? Such projects take us one step closer to realising our commitment to ensure every Fijian has access to clean drinking water, have access to irrigation water for their farms and
When we normally read about how another water source has been commissioned or another foot crossing has been built, many Fijians do not give it much thought.
After all more than almost every household is used to having piped water coming out of taps within their homes.
But this was not a reality always. Before 2006, there were thousands of Fijians who did not have access to clean drinking water, many walked miles to wash their clothes.
There are some communities who still do not have piped water but that number is dwindling rapidly.
Dramasi Irrigation Water Source
Why is the Dramasi Irrigation Water Source in Tavua a big deal for all of us? Such projects take us one step closer to realising our commitment to ensure every Fijian has access to clean drinking water, have access to irrigation water for their farms and families.
As Waterways and Enviroment Minister Mahendra Reddy pointed out, “a community’s ability to secure consistent access to adequate water resources will determine the sustenance of livelihoods through food production/ agriculture, socio-economic development and environmental protection (preserving ecosystems). All these directly dictate the sustainable development of a community, a town, a city, a nation and the very world we live in.”
Global statistics
Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that out of the 1400 million cubic km of water only 0.003 per cent (45000 cubic km) , is available as “fresh water resources.” Metaphorically, it would resemble a teaspoon of water in comparison to a
What our Constitution say
Section 36 of the 2013 Constitution guarantees the right of every person to clean and safe water in adequate quantities. This is why when such a water source is commissioned in a rural area, it is a big deal for all of us. This is why when those who do not have access need to speak out and work with authorities to have this right realised.
It was in Bonn in Germany during the COP 23 Presidency when Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum launched a policy document which had stated that within 20 years, every Fijian should have access to clean drinking water.
Mr Reddy’s ministry received requests from the farmers of Dramasi during one of its consultations in 2019 for the provision of irrigation schemes for farming purposes.
“The Government understands how important water supply is for agricultural purposes. The quality and quantity of crops are directly dependent on the water supply accessed,” he said. Since the initial water source was 3km up in the mountain, the ministry had carried out the following activities to water reticulated. i. Temporary road to set up construction materials, the excavation of the 3km road took five weeks at a cost of $22,140.03. ii. A 2m x 2m x 1m concrete dam was constructed to store water from the water source and refill the existing reservoir, a two-inch pipe has been connected to the source from to the dam.
A total of 30 households were affected due to issues around water supply, through this project the Ministry has been able to have running water for these 30 households.
The intervention carried out will assist in:
i. Irrigation to help cultivate crops, planted fruit trees and forestry options ii. Water supply for livestock farmers iii. Improve soil nutrients iv. Increase the water content of plant fibers
v. During droughts, the farmers will have access to water vi. Improve health vii. A reliable source of income as now there would be a sufficient supply of water for farming and domestic purposes.
viii. Preservation of your environmental ecosystems and the biodiversity.