Family pleads for assistance
A FAMILY living in a mangrove swamp along Edinburgh Drive in Suva has been without electricity and proper water supply for the past nine years.
And when it rains, the six children that live there often get wet because of gaps in the roofing iron.
Home owner Naomi Vonokula said the family had been living without power since they relocated from Muanivatu, Vatuwaqa, in 2013.
“For water, we access it from a broken tap,” the 42-year-old said.
“We used to have a big solarpowered light but it was stolen one night when we weren’t home so since then we have been using kerosene lamps.”
The mother of six added their water supply issue was caused by broken pipes from the main water meter located near the Central Transport Company Ltd garage.
“We were told by Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) to pay off at least 40 per cent of the former lease owners arrears of $800, but we can’t afford to – so we just connect our hose pipe to a broken pipe near the road use it for drinking and washing the dishes.”
Ms Vonokula, who is a stay at home mum, says her six children and in-laws survive on her husband’s earnings. He works as security guard in Suva.
She said the family needed assistance to fix a number of issues in their two-bedroom tin shack.
“We haven’t renovated the home since the pervious owner because we don’t have much money so the roof is old and rusty.
“When it rains, the water trickles down the gaps in the roof and sometimes the children are wet and cold.
“We had to build a make shift porch outside because the roof has lots of holes – we also have to cook outside.”
Her father, 74-year-old Taitusi Bici said he was also concerned about the safety of his grandchildren.
“If the authorities can build a bus stop close to our place so the children can get off the bus here instead of walking all the way from the bus garage,” he said.
“Any sort of assistance will help our family.”
AT A GLANCE
Areas to experience intermittent (low) to no supply
■ Wainibuku Reservoir: Low Pressure to no Water (high elevated areas) - Makoi, Nepani, Nadawa, Rt Dovi Rd, Dibulu, Lokia, Davuilevu, Nakasi, Koronivia, CCC and no Inflow to Tovata, Kalabu, Nasinu, Flagstaff
■ Tovata Reservoir: Makoi, Kalivetau, Veitata, Tovata Rd, Qaranivalu, Caubati Koro, Daniva, Niubalavu, Raikiwai, Niuvula, Niusawa Lane, Tacirua East, Cunningham, Khalsa Rd
■ Dokanisuva Reservoir: Low pressure to No Water - All feeding from Dokanaisuva - Seventh Day Church Dokanaisuva to Tacirua Primary School, Vunuleba Settlement
■ Colo-i-Suva Reservoir: Low pressure to no Water - Naisogo, Colo-i-Suva Crest Chicken, Princess Rd, Marshall Rd, Taqairua, Vunikawai, Uluibeka, Colanaivau, Valesasa, Naitaqiri Nillgrey
■ Areas experiencing no supply for two to three days from Tamavua-i-Wai Bridge through to Togalevu Naval along the Queens Rd including all site streets from PJ Twomey Hospital to Reservoir Rd along Princes Rd, including all side streets such as Ragg Ave, Devoji St, Mead Rd, Niraji, Wairua, Upper Mead Rd, Lovoni Rd, Loa St, Goodrum Place, Kaba Rd, Saimoni Vatu Place, Bureta St, Maharaj Place, Tuvana Place, Levuka St, Tubou St. Lakeba St, including, Helson Street, Nayau St, Kabara St, Fulaga St, Sovu Place, Namuka St, Moala St, Vatoa St, Matuku St, Totoya St.
Namadi Heights including Lower Ragg Avenue, Pathik Cres, Mika Dreu Place, Padam Lala, Salato Rd, Tuisawaqa, Salesi Rd and all side streets.
Rewa St to Flagstaff Roundabout, Including all side streets such as Kikau St, Milverton Rd, Alexander St, Howell Rd. Kula St, Kaka St, Parts of Gaji Rd including Jittu Estate. Elevated Areas along Laucala Bay and Ratu Sukuna Rd. Waimanu Rd including all side streets, including Borron Rd, Toganivalu Rd, Sawani St, Extension St and elevated areas along Amy St
■ Nagatugatu Reservoir : Present level – no water all feeding from Nagatugatu - Wrong Turn, Sakoca, Upper Khalsa, Tacirua Hts, Nagatugatu residents next to Reservoir.
■ Tacirua Reservoir : Present Level – low pressure to no Water - All feeding from Tacirua Reservoir - Tamavua Koro, Upper Ragg, Deovji St, Tacirua Bus, Amputch St, Princess Rd
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