Three key stories feature on the front page of The Fiji Times for Friday, October 4.
There remains significant focus on the recent disclosures made by former FICAC deputy commissioner Francis Pulewai. The public can anticipate learning the identities of the Commission of Inquiry members regarding the appointment of FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, along with the allegations presented by Ms. Pulewai, by next week. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that Cabinet will convene on Tuesday to discuss a proposal for establishing the commission, which will investigate the controversies surrounding FICAC. The Cabinet paper will include terms of reference and a list of suggested commission members, potentially involving international representatives.
In financial news, the Ministry of Finance has reported that Government-backed debt for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) has reached a total of $1.6 billion. This update comes alongside the release of the Government’s provisional financial results for the fiscal year ending July 2024.
Schools will remain operational on Friday, according to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro, who assured that schools are equipped to handle any water disruptions.
Concern is growing over a planned three-day water cut affecting the Suva-Nausori corridor, initiated today. The Water Authority of Fiji has indicated that this disruption is part of essential connection work between the Viria water supply and the Waila Water Treatment Plant.
WAF Chief Operating Officer Seru Soderberg stated that the work involves connecting a new 900-millimeter pipeline to one of three pipes leading to the Wainibuku reservoir. This connection will affect the overall water flow into Wainibuku from Waila, delivering only 60 percent of the normal supply.
The project commenced at midnight on Thursday and is deemed critical to mitigate significant supply risks to around 40 percent of the population. Residents in affected areas have been urged to store as much water as possible.
As the community braces for the water outage, discussions about the challenges faced by those unprepared for this situation have already begun. Letter writers have highlighted concerns regarding the inconvenience to families, potential impacts on sanitation and health, and repercussions for businesses and local education.
Property owners and families are hopeful that sufficient planning has taken place to ensure the delivery of water supplies during the disruption. As the community prepares for these water limitations, the focus should be on understanding the necessity of this work and advocating for improved long-term water management strategies to alleviate future issues.
Although this disruption poses significant inconvenience for thousands in the Suva-Nausori corridor, it also presents an opportunity to promote efficient water use and emphasize the importance of investing in water infrastructure, potentially benefiting numerous residents in the long run.