Dreketi river a sanctuary for sharks and rays
“PRAISE the Lord” were the first words uttered by 84-year-old Viniana Tobu when asked to describe how she felt following the groundbreaking of the new Nabavatu Village site in Dreketi, Macuata.
Ms Tobu was one of the many displaced Nabavatu villagers who have been living in tents for the past three years, following a major landslide in 2021, forcing people to relocate.
“We have spent three years in tents, celebrating birthdays, special holidays and marking other special functions under our temporary tarpaulin homes, which at times fail to protect us from elements of nature,” the mother of three said.
“Living under the tents is not easy – there is lack of privacy, we often get wet during the rain, and when it’s hot, the heat can become unbearable but we never lost hope, we kept on living our lives and praying to God above for his provision.
“It has materialised and we are grateful to God for not abandoning us, and for giving us a better hope for the future, and also the Government and its officials for working tirelessly to secure a piece of land for our relocation.”
The Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, and Natural Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, while officiating at the event, commended the resilience and strength of the people of Nabavatu who, in the face of adversity, have shown remarkable courage and adaptability.
Minister Ditoka highlighted that the project was the first relocation initiative to be funded by the Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund, made possible through the new Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation launched recently.
“The trust fund receives public financing through a portion of the Environment Climate Adaptation Levy which is a tax on luxury services and utilities and direct bilateral grants from our development partners to financially assist in Fiji’s relocation ambitions,” he said.
A sum of $577, 058 was released through the Trust Fund administered by the Climate Change Unit to assist in the preparatory works at this new site.
The new site at Nadoiviri, Dreketi would be able to accommodate 85 homes, with the 37 families still living in tents deemed as priority.