Seawall for Dakuinuku Village Starts
A250-metre-long seawall is beginning construction in Dakuinuku, Tailevu, which is expected to protect more than 250 villagers and 50 homes.
Relocation of houses due to Coastal flooding and coastal erosion is not an option for the villagers.
The Ministry of Waterways will oversee the project with an agreement from Basic Industries Limited which will finance the construction work under its corporate social responsibility.
While officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister for Waterways, Environment and Agriculture Mahendra Reddy highlighted that innovative thinking was vital when dealing with nature.
He reiterated the importance of Eco-Friendly Nature-Based Seawalls.
Mr Reddy applauded the initiative of the Basic Industries in supporting the Fijian Government’s effort towards building resilience amongst the coastal communities, which are the most vulnerable to climate change.
“Our heritage is linked. Our forefathers have been buried here. We will do everything possible to protect our communities from being relocated from the areas where their cultural heritage has been founded.
“Our Prime Minister is leading the battle against climate change, and we will do everything possible to ensure that communities are protected,” Minister Reddy said.
Basic Industries chief executive officer Ritesh Dass commended the initiatives of the Ministry of Waterways using Nature-Based approaches to protect the Dakuinuku community.
“We owe our existence to the Fijian communities and our obligation stretches beyond delivering commercial objectives and maximising shareholder returns,” Mr Dass said.
Sereana Duvaga, 59, who lives close to the sea in the village, coastal flooding has been a concern as houses used to get flooded during high tides.
“During the cyclone, the entire village had to evacuate and seek shelter either at RKS School or at the church hall,” Duvaga said.
“The women in the village cannot practice floriculture or any other agricultural activity because of seawater intrusion.
“We thank the Government of the day, the Ministry of Waterways, for the construction of the seawall that will not protect our village and our ancestral land.”