After 26 years of urgent appeals regarding rising sea levels and coastal erosion, the residents of Nasilai village in Nakelo, Tailevu, were finally rewarded with the official inauguration of a $1.57 million seawall. This long-awaited project, which was funded through the government’s national budgets for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, is integral to protecting the village’s remaining 7 acres of land, which is home to 161 residents and 43 houses.
The launch was officiated by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, who highlighted the coalition government’s determination to support climate-vulnerable communities. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation and coordination that enabled the completion of the project. “I think they have been waiting for over 26 years now, but we are thankful that now is the time, the opportune time, that government has managed to step in and give the assistance,” Ditoka said.
The new seawall not only shields Nasilai, one of 14 villages in the Nakelo District, from further land loss due to climate change but also represents hope for resilience in the face of environmental challenges. The minister praised the engineers and the Waterways team for their timely work, describing the seawall as a “way forward” to ensure the safety and continuity of the village for future generations.
This successful project reflects a broader commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, serving as a crucial step in preserving livelihoods and homes in the region.
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