Residents of Navunikabi Village in Namosi voiced their opposition to the proposed EFL hydro dam during a peaceful protest on Saturday. Nearly 100 villagers, young and old, gathered at the project’s proposed site, holding banners and placards.
While the villagers support development, they expressed displeasure over the consultation process and how their concerns have been represented. The $200 million hydro project is planned for three sites—Wainikoroiluva, Wainikovu, and Waivaka—in both Namosi and Naitasiri provinces, with Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, believed to be leading the initiative.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka previously acknowledged Ratu Suliano’s role in seeking sustainable energy sources from inland Namosi. Despite a series of consultations involving villagers, government officials, chiefly households, and landowners, the community remains firmly opposed to the project.
Simione Mekemeke, a member of the Lomani Au Maroroi Au (LAMA) group, articulated the villagers’ fears that rising water levels could inundate their homes, highlighting the emotional connection they have to their land and ancestors. Mekemeke criticized the lack of adequate consultation, stating that villagers were only informed after initial studies were conducted without their input.
Concerns also arose regarding potential environmental impacts on local businesses, notably the Namosi Eco Retreat, which could suffer from the dam’s construction. “Building a massive hydro dam here would spoil what we already have,” Mekemeke lamented, reinforcing their determination to resist relocation proposals.
LAMA chairman Sipiriano Nariva reiterated the committee’s stance, stating, “We are here to say no to hydro,” and calling for the government to respect the landowners’ concerns before moving forward with any developments.
Villagers like 72-year-old Sabeta Seniqumu expressed strong opposition to relocation, stressing the importance of preserving their culture and history. She emphasized that the community’s traditions and farming practices link them to their land, and many villagers are anxious about their future if forced to relocate.
Mareta Nayadi, 60, and Makitalena Nayara, 79, echoed similar sentiments, advocating for the land and resources that sustain their livelihoods. According to Nayadi, the community thrives on farming and appreciates their current access to electricity, questioning the necessity of new dams.
Namosi Provincial Council chair Ratu Iowane Matanitobua confirmed that the project is still in the feasibility study stage, with data collection ongoing before further presentations to the villagers. Attempts to reach Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua and EFL CEO Hasmukh Patel for comments were unsuccessful.