‘Free water scheme - BIG DIFFERENCE FOR SMALL INCOME HOUSEHOLDS’
THE free water scheme provided to many Fijians across the country was a blessing in disguise which makes a big difference for many small income households.
The free water initiative which initially started back in 2015 allows Fijians to be able to have access to free water allowance of 92,500 litres per year which was provided to homes with a total income of less than $30,000 a year.
For Margaret O’Connor, 60, the free water initiative has saved her household income for up to 50 per cent which she redirects into buying essential needs.
She shared that she became eligible for the scheme in April this year.
“I am very thankful to the Government. It helps a lot because my bills were very high before and with the subsidy it really assists us as a family because there’s not much income into my household. But I thank God for the government for looking into this very important way of assisting the underprivileged families.”
The Votualevu resident said that she was also part of various other schemes and that the Fijian Government was taking care of its citizens through these schemes.
“I’ve spoken to many families who have been assisted in that way. And that has been a great help as well. And I see that they are helping with people in getting the electricity and water installed, which is a great incentive the government’s doing. If you buy your first property, you’re assisted with a grant that you get from the Government. That has been a great help to some people.”
“I think the Government is doing a lot of good for us especially with our elderly with the bus fare incentive as well. That’s been a great help in my area too because I am a senior citizen as well.”
Another recipient of the scheme, Ilisoni
Galala, 66, of Naboutini Sabeto shared that he has benefitted from this scheme as his previous arrears had been waived.
“I like the free water scheme as this waiver has been there before the first election. And a lot of people don’t really know what’s in the government programs.
He said that after knowing about the initiative, several villagers are now applying for it who have high amounts of arrears and disconnected meters.
“My tikina, particularly the villages down below Koroyaca and Narokorokoyawa village have had a lot of arrears.”
“Also, I had arrears from the beginning of 2014 and there was a program to waive water arrears. I had about $4,000 before 2014,” he said.
“When I had my social welfare in that same week, I launched my application for waiver and they waived $7,000 from my personal account. To date I only have $21.45, thanks very much to the Government for the programme.”
“When you don’t have the resources, when you don’t have the money then you try and get a system for the respective donors or from the Government. Because I know this Government has a lot of programs for people in Fiji.”
The water initiative for low-income households continues to be available which includes new water meter connections at a cost of $345, covering the water meter, fittings, material, labour, and transportation costs.
Under the 2022-2023 National Budget the Fijian Government continues to provide its free water scheme to Fijians through the allocation of $204.3 million to the Water Authority of Fiji.