Nadi continues to grapple with persistent flooding challenges, but the Nadi Town Council has announced positive strides in the long-awaited Nadi Flood Alleviation Project that was first introduced nearly five years ago. This crucial initiative, funded at $400 million with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, is designed to deliver much-needed relief to affected residents.
The comprehensive project is divided into three key components. The first two components are centered around enhancing infrastructure, including the construction of a dike for Nadi Town, upgrades to drainage systems, widening of rivers, building bridges, constructing ring dikes, and establishing two retention ponds to manage excess water. The third component targets non-structural mitigation measures, which encompass the implementation of the Watershed Management Act, the development of National Drainage Guidelines, and a dedicated Watershed Management Plan for the Nadi River basin.
Lawrence Kumar, the President of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed optimism regarding the project’s execution, emphasizing its critical role in mitigating the severe flooding that has plagued the area for years. “It is going to help alleviate a lot of flooding issues we’ve faced, but it has been in the planning stage for several years — it needs to materialize very soon,” he told FBC News.
Muni Reddy, CEO of the Nadi Town Council, acknowledged the delays in the project’s development, pointing out that the extensive scale of the undertaking necessitated careful planning, studies, and funding. Reddy reassured the community that necessary measures are now being taken, and while a specific completion timeline remains undisclosed, implementation has officially begun.
The economic impact of floods in Nadi has been substantial, costing over $100 million to the Fijian economy. The completion of the Flood Alleviation Project is anticipated to mitigate future losses while providing residents with the long-awaited relief they deserve. As the project moves forward, there is a renewed sense of hope for a safer, more resilient Nadi.
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