Exchanges on water strategy 2050 liven up Parlt session
TRo Filipe noted the “neglect” by the previous government towards Fiji’s water sector and called out the lack of a “plan” and an adequate budget for the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) provided in the past.
he Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau pushed back on Opposition MP, Jone Usamate’s criticism against the minister for claiming ownership of a Water Sector Strategy 2050. Mr Usamate said the previous government put the strategy in motion.
During yesterday’s Parliament sitting, Mr Usamate said the Water Sector Strategy 2050 was “just a strategy” and “not a plan” the way the National Development Plan outlined specific targets for the future.
Ro Filipe said Government had done the “difficult part” of forming the Water Sector Strategy 2050 and putting it on paper.
“He (Mr Usamate) mentioned that they began it, but that’s fine because we build upon what previous governments had done,” Ro Filipe told Fiji Sun.
“So what we have done was bring together stakeholders - development partners, financiers such as the Asian Development Bank, climate financing - to understand the situation and work on the actual strategy.” Ro Filipe said the infrastructure issues, which came under scrutiny because of the recent heavy rainfall, “cannot be solved immediately” and need to be addressed incrementally.
“The issues we are facing now, which are being dealt with by the Water Authority of Fiji, we do it as part of our annual programme, for example, replacing ageing infrastructure or emergencies.
“For example, the Viria Water Treatment Plan that was done by the past government. “We ensure that that comes online, which is online now, and it’s also extended and connected.”
He said this had eased some of the pressures on existing infrastructure.
Ro Filipe noted the “neglect” by the previous government towards Fiji’s water sector and called out the lack of a “plan” and an adequate budget for the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) provided in the past. “In 16 months, our Government has worked with all segments of Fijian society with our development partners, with a renewed focus on restoring the water sector.
“The Water Sector Strategy 2050 is our plan to deliver on that vision.”
He said Government was not “planning for its survival” in four years, but rather for the next three decades, regardless of who was in government.