$60k project for village

MORE than 110 people and 36 households will benefit from a $60,000 water project commissioned at Matailobau Village, Naitasiri this week.

The New Zealand High Commission, Vodafone ATH Foundation and Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation convened at the commissioning.

Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation board member John Lewis said the support provided to Matailobau Village was part of the “enhanced water security in rural villages through improved water and sanitation management project” funded by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministry through Rotary New Zealand World Community Services and was co-financed by Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation.

Mr Lewis said the project included a borehole water source, iron and manganese treatment system, slow sand filter for the village’s bacterial treatment system and distribution system.

“Rotary Pacific Water had provided operational and maintenance practical training to Matailobau Village water committee and theory training was provided by Fiji National University (FNU) and we hope the committee will take ownership in maintaining and sustaining the water treatment systems,” he said.

Mr Lewis commended the villagers for volunteering labour support during the construction of the water project and treatment system.

Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation executive Ambalika Singh said the Matailobau Village Ground Water Project was one of many foundations that had been funded since its inception in 2004.

“We have helped reach 300 villages and provided funding in different forms towards the $7 million worth project implemented by Rotary,” she said.

We have helped reach 300 villages and provided funding in different forms... – Ambalika Singh