Solove community lights up after four decades

One hundred and forty households of a community in Seaqaqa rejoiced yesterday after their homes were lit up by electrical power for the first time in 45 years. This was after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commissioned a grid extension at the Solove Primary School. “Fiji neglected the needs of its rural communities for too long. But that is in the past,” Mr Bainimarama said. Mr Bainimarama said his Government was working hard to meet the goal of ensuring that every Fijian has access to reliable electrical power.

This will be achieved by covering one community at a time, one island at a time and one settlement at a time.

He reassured the public that the progress was steady and sure, to meet the goal.

Solove Electrification

Rural Extension Project president, Lakhan Khan, said the community were grateful with the completion of the electrification project which has enabled every household in Solove to receive electricity.

Mr Khan said that it had been more than 45 years without electricity power.

“Over the years there has been a lot of demand from the cane farming community requesting for electricity to their residences,” he said.

“Through council meetings this request was put through during a talanoa session in September in 2019, while the Prime Minister was meeting with the sugarcane growers there was a need for power supply.”

Over the years there has been a lot of demand from the cane farming community requesting for electricity to their residences. Lakhan Khan SoLovE ELECtrIfiCAtIon RurAL Extension Project president