Cikobia Island is poised for significant improvements in its infrastructure, especially regarding water supply and transportation, following commitments made during a recent tikina meeting. This meeting, highlighted in a report by The Fiji Times on May 1, 1996, brought together community leaders and government officials to discuss critical issues plaguing the island.
Residents of Cikobia have long struggled with a deficient water supply system, sharing a single catchment across four villages: Vatulele, Nautovata, Vuninuku, and Natovutovu. Access to the island is limited to boat travel, which means residents often face challenges in receiving essential supplies. At the meeting, District Officer Macuata Ratu Orisi Baleitavea announced that the government would provide a 40-foot boat to the elders of Cikobia, designed to carry 22 passengers. The vessel, featuring searchlights, a compass, and a radio telephone system, is expected to significantly enhance the quality of life for island residents.
Reverend Laiakini Saula of the Methodist Church expressed optimism about the boat, stating, “It will make a big difference to our lives.” With this new resource, residents will have guaranteed access to monthly grocery supplies and improved communication capabilities, as the island currently relies on sporadic boat arrivals for mail delivery. The boat will also ease transportation for students traveling to study on Viti Levu or Vanua Levu, particularly during the holiday seasons.
The construction of the boat took five months and cost $70,000, with the community contributing $4,500, while additional funding came from the Methodist Church and the Ministry of Regional Development. Alongside the transportation improvements, residents have been reassured of government support for enhancing the island’s water supply. Ratu Orisi acknowledged the ongoing water shortages that residents face every other day due to reliance on a single catchment system.
Furthermore, he indicated plans for a rural housing scheme to address the substandard living conditions on Cikobia, emphasizing that it will adopt a self-help approach with small grants available to residents. This initiative is a promising step toward better living conditions and sustainable development for the island’s inhabitants.
Overall, the recent commitments signal a hopeful future for Cikobia as it seeks to overcome its developmental challenges and improve the quality of life for its residents.
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