Residents of Nawaicoba in Nadi will soon see improvements to their water supply, with a new pump station and reservoir expected to benefit over 1,000 people in the area. This $6.2 million project, which has been in the works since 2017, aims to serve around ten rural communities between Korovuto and Momi, promoting a more sustainable water supply.
The project has faced some delays, as community members have raised concerns about it being stalled for the past six months, leading to difficulties for those relying on wells and boreholes or fetching water from distant locations. Ram Kumar, a 58-year-old local, shared his family’s struggle, noting that they sometimes have to travel to Nadi town to fetch clean drinking water due to issues with their borehole.
Despite the pause in construction—reportedly due to disagreements among contractors—the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) had previously made progress by laying nearly 200 meters of a planned 2.9-kilometer pipeline and installing pumps. Local authorities have been approached for comments but have yet to respond.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in providing reliable water access for rural communities, a problem echoed in similar areas such as Tamavua and Namadi, where residents have also experienced water shortages despite recent rainfall. In those regions, the government has announced various infrastructure projects to improve the water supply, including a $40 million water treatment plant expected to add significant capacity to meet rising demand.
Overall, while the delays at Nawaicoba have caused some frustration, the commitment to infrastructure development across the region is encouraging, offering hope for a future where reliable water supply is a reality for all these communities. Addressing these infrastructure challenges not only enhances current living conditions but also paves the way for long-term stability and growth in the future.
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