13 December, 2025, 5:30 pm Central - 25°C Rain

Fixing water infrastructure is a balancing act; no government can satisfy everyone - Usamate

Fixing water infrastructure is a balancing act; no government can satisfy everyone - Usamate

By Rashika Kumar
12/09/2025
Opposition MP and Former FijiFirst Minister Jone Usamate

Opposition MP and Former FijiFirst Minister Jone Usamate says the former government made significant inroads in fixing water infrastructure but as you deliver more and more service, people's expectation of what they are getting from government also increases.

Usamate highlighted this while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on criticism from people that Fiji’s leaders can make speeches but water issues remain unresolved after 16 years in power, with nearly half of the supply lost through leaking pipes and infrastructure barely holding up under band-aid solutions from the Water Authority of Fiji.

Usamate says he does not think you will find any government or any country in the world where people are 100 percent satisfied with the infrastructure that they have and it is always going to be a challenge the government.

When questioned about what needs to be done to fix the water issue as about 50 percent of what is produced is lost, Usamate says the government needs to have a plan to be able to replace out-of-date infrastructure.

He says this is not something which can be done quickly as it requires funding.

He adds that running a country is always a balancing act because you have to balance these long-term things while addressing small fires that keep popping up every day.

FEATURE NEWS
Low chance of TD03F forming into Tropical Cyclone within 24 to 48 hours
The potential for Tropical Disturbance TD03F to develop into a Tropical Cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours is low.The Nadi Weather Office says the...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
People in Northern Division prepare as tropical disturbance nears Fiji
People in the Northern Division are preparing as a tropical disturbance located near the Solomon Islands continues to move closer to Fiji and is ...
43 minutes ago

‘Zootopia 2’ crosses US$1 billion globally
“Zootopia 2” is racing past US$1 billion globally after 17 days of release, becoming the fastest PG film to ever cross the coveted box office ...
2 hours ago

Canada reaffirms Pacific commitment with launch of Fiji Assistive Technology Hub
The Government of Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to the Pacific with the launch of Fiji’s National Assistive Technology Hub in Suva.The ...
2 hours ago

SODELPA expresses shock after FICAC charge Tanya Waqanika
The Social Democratic Liberal Party says they are shocked that one of their former party members has been charged by FICAC for allegedly opposing ...
3 hours ago

Ro Veidovi laid to rest in Muaiqele after 185 years
After 185 years, Ro Veidovi Logavatu's ashes have now been laid to rest at his village sacred burial ground known as Muaiqele. His ashes were ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
1 day ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
1 day ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
5 days ago

TOP