Headline: Nukutocia villagers urge broader protections as quarry near Ovalau opens up wind, erosion and compensation concerns
Nukutocia villagers on Ovalau have voiced serious worries about a nearby quarry, arguing that ongoing extraction has left the community more exposed to natural disasters and has disrupted a once-protective rock wall that acted as a wind barrier against cyclones.
Village headman Maikeli Tamani said the quarry, though well-intentioned, has exacted a cost on the community. The rock wall had long served as a natural shield. “This rock wall has always served as a cover for us — a natural wind barrier from strong winds and cyclones,” he noted. He added that the wall’s benefits were something their ancestors emphasized and that the village had relied on. But in recent years, he said the situation has changed, especially with stronger cyclones after the extraction began.
Quarrying near Nukutocia began about 19 years ago to source rock boulders for development work at Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) in Levuka. Tamani explained that when coastal erosion worsened and the circular road near the coast sustained heavy wave damage, authorities decided to extract gravel and rock boulders at the site as a preventive measure. He recalled, “We noticed a change during Cyclone Winston — we were more exposed to strong winds because there’s a gap now in that wall.”
Tamani also raised concerns about compensation, arguing that while the mataqali that leased the land benefited, many villagers face noise and dust and increased cyclone vulnerability. “We’ve also become more vulnerable to cyclones, and I believe the Government needs to consider this and compensate everyone because we’re all affected,” he said.
Background context from advocacy groups and researchers notes that, in June 2022, the Fiji Environmental Law Association and Environmental Defenders Office Australia conducted community consultations on climate-change impacts in Ovalau. They highlighted the Nukutocia case among other worries about runoff, silt, and damage to the coastal front that had harmed seagrass and marine life.
On the local side, Inoke Tokalau of mataqali Salili, which houses the quarry, said discussions about the extraction site sparked significant debate. Although not everyone in the village initially agreed, the mataqali ultimately signed the lease, believing the project would benefit the wider island by addressing flooding and road destruction. He noted that consensus did not erase the community’s ongoing concerns.
When asked for comment, the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) stressed that consultations were conducted before the project began and that landowners gave consent for the quarry. FRA also pointed to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA conducted to ensure the work was done with minimal environmental impact). The authority described the quarry as a “major win” for Ovalau, claiming it would help protect the shoreline and roads from rising seas and storm surges by placing large rock barriers along the coast. FRA also argued that the project saved money by avoiding the need to ship materials from Viti Levu, enabling faster maintenance and reinvestment into local road improvements.
Context from the region’s ongoing resource-extraction debates shows a pattern: communities urge broader consultation and fairer distribution of benefits, while authorities cite environmental safeguards, local consent, and cost savings. In several Ba-area cases, critics have called for more inclusive compensation and safeguards when mining or dredging affects livelihoods and ecosystems, arguing that benefits often accrue to landowners or project proponents rather than to all those bearing the costs.
Summary:
– Nukutocia villagers near Ovalau express concern that local quarrying has weakened a wind barrier and increased vulnerability to cyclones and erosion.
– The quarry began about two decades ago to supply rock for development and flood/road protection, with Cyclone Winston cited as a turning point.
– Villagers seek fair compensation for all affected, not just landowners.
– FRA asserts there were prior consultations and an EIA, calling the quarry a major win for Ovalau and highlighting cost savings and faster maintenance.
– A 2022 visit by environmental groups underscored broader concerns about runoff and coastal ecosystems.
What this means and potential next steps:
– The community’s concerns about wind barriers and cyclone exposure deserve ongoing engagement, transparent monitoring, and independent review of environmental safeguards.
– Consideration of broader, more inclusive compensation schemes and mitigation measures could help address equity concerns.
– Continued dialogue among villagers, mataqali leadership, FRA, and environmental groups may lead to adjustments in site management, erosion control, and dust/noise mitigation.
A hopeful note:
If authorities and the community maintain open, constructive dialogue and implement robust mitigation and fair compensation measures, the project can continue to support island resilience (coastal protection and road stability) while reducing adverse effects on residents’ daily lives and local ecosystems.
Additional value and commentary:
– The Nukutocia situation mirrors broader debates in Fiji about balancing development with community rights and environmental protection. Independent monitoring and clearer guidelines on wind barrier preservation, coastal protection, and equitable benefit-sharing could help build trust and sustainability for similar projects island-wide.
– Policymakers might consider codifying community consultation standards and post-project reviews to ensure that long-term vulnerabilities are addressed and that the benefits of infrastructure improvements reach all affected residents.
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