Clean water for villagers

MORE than 450 residents of Wainiyavu Village, Namosi, can easily access clean drinking water following the commissioning of a $100,000 rural water project recently.

The project will also benefit 124 children of Wainiyavu Primary School.

While addressing the villagers, Public Works and Transport Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the project was a testament to the collaborative efforts of donors and partners.

“Rural sanitation issues are quite widespread throughout the country and the Government cannot do it alone, which is why I say thank you to all the stakeholders and key contributors of our nation,” Ro Filipe said.

He said not only would the project address the immediate need for clean water, but it also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and the Government’s National Development Plan (NDP).

Ro Filipe said the project was made possible through the Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program which aimed to improve rural infrastructure in rural schools and communities in Fiji.

Village headman, Suliano Naborisi thanked donors for their contribution to the development in the village.

“This is a huge help to us as this will also prevent waterborne diseases such as typhoid in the village, thank you to everyone that contributed to this great initiative,” Mr Naborisi said.

A water committee from the village will be responsible for the coordination, operation and maintenance of the new water system, he said.

The project was funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Rotary New Zealand World Community Services and co-funding from partner organisations — VaiWai Natural Artesian Waters, Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation and the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

Pictures: ATU RASEA Wainiyavu Primary School students crowd around a standpipe after the commissioning of the water project at Wainiyavu Village, Namosi last week.

3 3. Women of Wainiyavu Village in Namosi after the new water project was commissioned last week.

1 1. New Zealand’s deputy High Commissioner, Shahryar-Davies, standing left with garland, and Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau with some of the men of Wainiyavu Village.

6 6. The principal guests are pictured with students at Wainiyavu Primary School in Namosi.

5 5. Villagers of Wainiyavu in Namosi during the commissioning of the water project.

4 4. Deputy High Commissioner Alex Shahryar-Davies, third from left, the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, and invited guests being garlanded at Wainiyavu Village, Namosi.

2 2. Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau is joined by other guests in commissioning the water project.

7 7. The Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, is escorted to Wainiyavu Village in Namosi for the project commissioning.