300 residents of Savalau Settlement in Nadi are overjoyed after a borehole has been commissioned in the settlement under the British American Tobacco’s Project Aqua.
This is the 5th borehole under British American Tobacco’s Project Aqua.
The residents of Savalau used to walk long distances to rivers and creeks to collect water for drinking and cooking.
British American Tobacco Head of External Affairs Meliki Tuinamuana says the pilot borehole at Sautabu Village in Sigatoka was opened in June this year along with the launch of Project Aqua.
Tuinamuana says Naveyago Village in Sigatoka was the second village to have a borehole and Vunaqoru and Koroua boreholes in Sigatoka were commissioned in September.
Under Project Aqua, British American Tobacco Fiji will commission boreholes at 15 rural communities which will provide a steady supply of clean and safe drinking water to these communities.
There will be a 10,000‑litre water tank and basic water system installed in these villages.
Tuinamuana says the focus will be on communities in tobacco farming areas in Nadi and Sigatoka.
She says about 4,500 people will benefit from this project.
Tuinamuana says Project Aqua will involve an investment of $400,000 by British American Tobacco Fiji and the 15 boreholes are expected to be completed by October next year.
Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Dr Mahendra Reddy officiated at the commissioning of the borehole today.
