Many communities in Fiji’s Northern Division continue to struggle with access to clean and safe water, the Ministry for Rural and Maritime Development has confirmed. While the Water Authority of Fiji oversees most water projects, the ministry still handles the remaining requests from communities in the region, according to Minister Sakiasi Ditoka.
Ditoka says the government remains committed to reaching Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure universal access to clean water and sanitation. He encourages communities to follow the official application process so they can be considered for inclusion on the priority list. “But it’s a continuing battle; it’s a continuing work that we do,” he stressed, urging affected communities to make contact with district officers and provincial authorities to submit requests online. Once a community’s request is in the priority list, Ditoka said, “it’s just a matter of time after that.”
To speed up assistance, the minister emphasized the importance of correctly completed applications submitted through divisional and provincial offices. “If you don’t know what to do, take it to the DO’s office and fill out the application forms with them, and we should have no problem after that,” he advised, while acknowledging that errors and delays can still occur.
The ministry is encouraging communities to work closely with district offices, noting that funding remains available and projects are ready to be implemented. This push aligns with a broader national strategy to expand access to safe water through a mix of boreholes, groundwater projects, and community-driven initiatives.
Context from related developments across Fiji shows the scale of the government’s ongoing effort. In recent months, 41 new borehole sites were identified to provide reliable water access, with completion anticipated by July in some reports. The program involves private companies vetted to meet safety standards, and it underscores the government’s emphasis on groundwater as a cornerstone of rural water security. Earlier efforts highlighted by ministers include the nationwide plan to construct 1,700 boreholes with a $5 million investment, designed to boost water access in both urban and rural areas. Community involvement remains a recurring theme, with residents expected to help maintain boreholes and ensure sustainability.
Across the country, partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF are supporting assessments of rural water needs to pinpoint gaps and guide long-term planning. The Water Authority of Fiji continues to facilitate connections once boreholes or new water points are identified, reinforcing a coordinated approach to reduce waterborne diseases and improve public health. Notable recent examples include the Vusama Water Project and the ongoing drive to identify additional borehole sites in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands.
Experts and officials repeatedly stress that reliable water access is foundational to health, education, housing, and economic activity. Initiatives like solar-powered boreholes are highlighted as sustainable solutions that can lower ongoing energy costs and improve resilience in remote communities.
What this means for affected communities
– Proactive engagement with the DO’s and PA’s offices can speed up priority listing and project downstream.
– Correctly completed forms and timely submissions are crucial for inclusion in funding cycles.
– Community involvement and maintenance plans are essential for long-term sustainability.
– The broader national push suggests a multi-pronged approach: boreholes, groundwater systems, water tanks, and renewable-energy solutions to secure reliable water for rural and maritime populations.
In sum, while access to clean water remains a work in progress for Fiji’s Northern Division, the government’s coordinated strategy—combining streamlined applications, targeted funding, and a mix of infrastructure projects—offers a hopeful path toward safer, more reliable water for communities that have long faced shortages and health risks.
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