Members of four tribes in Navunikabi village, Namosi, have firmly opposed a feasibility study for a proposed hydro dam by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) along the Wainikoroiluva River. Tensions surged during a community consultation on Wednesday, where more than 70 villagers gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the proposed dam’s potential impact on their sacred river and land.
The i Taukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) sought approval from the landowners for a feasibility lease to allow EFL to conduct a study for the dam project, intended to facilitate increased renewable energy sources to meet rising demand. Osea Bola, an iTLTB representative, assured villagers that the lease would strictly pertain to the feasibility study and not the actual development of a dam. However, villagers were unconvinced, as demonstrated by their lack of support at the meeting.
Chairman of Lomani Au Maroroi Au (LAMA), Sipiriano Nariva, articulated the community’s steadfast refusal, declaring, “We are here to say no to hydro.” Their concerns reflect not only environmental apprehensions but also deep-rooted ties to the land, as many residents highlighted personal connections and reliance on the river for sustenance, cultural identity, and livelihoods.
Villagers like 61-year-old Mareta Naiadi emphasized that the Wainikoroiluva River has been crucial for their herbal medicine and food. Such sentiments were echoed by many who have signed a petition against the project, denoting a strong collective stance against any possible land lease that could put their future at risk.
Similar sentiments around the community’s opposition to the hydro project have been documented in previous protests, where villagers gathered en masse, expressing discontent over the consultation process and the inadequate representation of their voices. Concerns are heightened with fears of potential flooding affecting homes and ancestral burial sites, as well as the adverse effects on local businesses, particularly the Namosi Eco Retreat.
Despite recognizing the need for renewable energy, villagers in Navunikabi are united in their desire to protect their land and cultural heritage from developments they view as imposed without their genuine consent. They assert that their current access to electricity suffices, questioning the necessity of expanding hydro initiatives in their area.
The ongoing dialogue highlights the critical importance of ensuring that community voices are central to discussions about development projects. For a promising collaboration to flourish, it’s essential that stakeholders listen to the local viewpoints and adjust plans accordingly. The community’s engagement not only underlines their commitment to environmental stewardship but also reflects a broader need to balance development with the preservation of cultural identity.
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