Reddy suggests relocation for Nadi villagers long term
Minister for Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy toured several villages along the Nadi River yesterday to inspect the progress of drainage works at flood-prone communities in the area.
He visited Yako, Yavusania, Navatulevu, Nawaka and Korovuto villages, following an earlier visit for scoping work.
“Most of the villages have settled there for a long time and in that particular point in time, never thought about climate change,” he noted.
Drainage work commenced at Yako Village yesterday and is already underway at Navatulevu. Mr Reddy said that while Navatulevu was on higher ground, relocation would have to be the long-term solution for villages such as Moala because it was below sea level. He also noted the positive impact of sand and gravel extraction along the banks of the Nadi River. “Sand and gravel extraction along river banks need to be extracted because over time, it has filled up and reduced the capacity of the river to discharge so we need to extract those,” he said.
“The Ministry of Lands is still processing and we want those business houses who would want to extract that to do so. It’s going to help us because anyway, we’ll have to do it.”
Mr Reddy will also visit Sabeto Village, the Vunato Dump and the Mosi Dam construction site this week. He will end his tour at Vaileka, Rakiraki, where major drainage works are also taking place to mitigate the town’s continuing flood problem.
An environmental awareness programme on the ills of littering has also started.
The Ministry of Lands is still processing and we want those business houses who would want to extract that to do so. It’s going to help us because anyway, we’ll have to do it Mahendra Reddy Minister for Waterways and Environment