Plants of no use — Dakuiboca

Jetty cause of overcrowding

SOME desalination plants are of no use now, although the Government has invested much in them, says Divisional planning officer North Setareki Dakuiboca.

While briefing Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Minister Sakiasi Ditoka, Mr Dakuiboca said as a result the Government had to spend $50,000 to cart water to islands in the division.

“This is the current issue we’re facing,” he said.

“The same issue we faced here on Taveuni is also faced on Kia Island.”

Mr Dakuiboca said there was a need to meet with the Water Authority in regards to the machines used at those plants.

“The Government invested a lot in these plants, but they’re of no use now,” he said.

There are other water sources, but Mr Dakuiboca said the challenge was trying to locate people who own estate land.

“Some pipes may cross some estates.

“The major concern is not only iTaukei land, but freehold because it’s hard for us to locate the owners as most of them are overseas.”

He said this was the major challenge in regards to the borehole at Naselesele.

THE Black Point Jetty at Lovonivonu on Taveuni has not been in operation since 2020, often causing overcrowding at the current operational Salia Jetty.

Taveuni District officer Abdul Hakim said the jetty was often crowded when interisland vessels arrived.

Mr Hakim, while briefing the Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster

Management Minister Sakiasi Ditoka, said the situation was often a hassle for the police and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.

“For small vessels, sometimes half the doors are below jetty level, making it difficult to embark and disembark,” he said.

“There’s an immediate need for Black Point Jetty to be fixed because it was designed for smaller vessels to berth.

“At times, Goundar and Interlink ships arrive at the same time, causing overcrowding at Salia Jetty. We are trying our very best to resolve this.”

Mr Hakim said every problem needed to be fixed first before they were passed by the Fiji Roads Authority.

In response, Mr Ditoka said he would talk with the responsible minister to push for Black Point Jetty to be fixed.

He said he would also take the issue to Cabinet to ensure it was immediately addressed.

Pictures: NACANIELI TUILEVUKA Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka and staff members of the Tutu Rural Training Centre. Right: Sakiasi Ditoka welcomes Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to Taveuni on Monday.