Hydroelectric Hurdles: Villagers Rally Against EFL’s Namosi Dam Plans

Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) is currently assessing alternative sites for a hydroelectric dam in Namosi, a move prompted by strong opposition from villagers in Navunikabi. The local community has expressed their concerns over the project, particularly the potential risk of flooding that could threaten their village. While EFL’s chair, Rokoseru Nabalarua, acknowledges the villagers’ rights to voice their opinions, he emphasizes that not all landowners are against the project. Nabalarua remains committed to the hydro project, asserting that it will provide broader benefits to the country and the local community.

In the past weeks, Navunikabi villagers have taken active steps to express their objections, including visiting government offices and participating in protests. They fear that the proposed dam could impact their environment and livelihoods significantly. Elder Mareta Naiadi has highlighted the importance of local resources for their sustenance, including traditional practices linked to their ancestral land.

This situation is not isolated; other similar reports from the region show a consistent pattern of resistance among indigenous landowners towards EFL’s hydro projects. Local leaders and community members have been vocal about the need for meaningful consultations and respect for traditional rights in discussions about such developments. Critics, including the chairperson of the local NGO ‘Lomani Au Maroroi Au’, Sipiriano Nariva, emphasize the importance of engaging with the community to ensure their concerns are addressed.

The ongoing discourse revolves around the call for government stakeholders to consider the voices of local residents seriously. The villagers are advocating for a collaborative approach to tackle the challenges of renewable energy development while preserving their cultural heritage and protecting their land from potentially harmful impacts.

Despite the challenges, there is hope that a constructive dialogue can be established, allowing both development needs and community rights to be honored, which could lead to sustainable solutions that ultimately support the aspirations of the Navunikabi villagers.