Students and teachers at Lekutu Primary and Secondary Schools are expected to benefit from improved access to water for drinking, sanitation and other daily school activities following the commissioning of a new borehole.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Lekutu Secondary School trustee Senitiki Catanasiga highlighted that the school went without water for about a week as the dry spell damaged the piping system running from the catchment to the school.
Catanasiga says pipes supplying nearby islands were also damaged, with repairs being carried out.
He says the commissioning of the borehole came at the right time, while repairs to the damaged pipes were underway.
Catanisiga confirms that the water supply has now been restored and the school is no longer facing water shortages.
He says students are attending school and have started their examinations despite the earlier water disruption.
He adds that the school also has water tanks and a large reservoir to store water and help manage its supply.
Catanasiga says concerns about water shortages in surrounding communities, including those where students come from, have been raised with the relevant authorities by village leaders.
He says the concerns have been brought to the attention of the Water Authority of Fiji and the Government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially commissioned the borehole water projects in Bua yesterday, which are expected to provide a more reliable water supply to hundreds of people.
The projects, funded through the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership, benefit students and teachers at Dama District School, Lekutu Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as residents of Votua Village.
The Dama District School Borehole Project, completed at an estimated cost of $230,000, provides a more reliable water supply for about 180 people, including students, school staff and residents of seven staff quarters.
The Lekutu Borehole Project, valued at more than $400,000, benefits about 350 students, teachers and family members across Lekutu Primary and Secondary Schools.
The project also provides water to 64 households in Votua Village, comprising around 255 people.
Rabuka says groundwater quality challenges were identified during testing, prompting the Mineral Resources Department to install a specialised water treatment system costing more than $200,000.
He says the system was procured from Australia and is reported to be the first of its kind in Fiji.
The Prime Minister has thanked the Australian Government for its continued support, highlighting the importance of the Fiji-Australia partnership in improving the well-being of Fijians in rural communities.
He is also urging school management, village leaders and beneficiaries to take ownership of the water systems, ensure regular maintenance, report faults promptly and protect the surrounding environment.
He stresses that beneficiaries have an important role in ensuring the facilities continue to serve students, families and communities for many years.
The Prime Minister has also acknowledged technical officers from the Mineral Resources Department, government agencies, contractors and project partners involved in delivering the projects.
School management and villagers have expressed their appreciation to the Governments of Fiji and Australia and other project partners for their support.
