About 50 cartons of drinking water have already reached Cikobia Island and more water is expected to reach the island tomorrow.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka when questioned by the media on the Government’s assistance to Cikobia.
He says at the same time they are also looking at setting up a desalination plant in the outer islands that are affected by water issues during the dry season.
Ditoka says they are also in discussions with the RFMF if they have any desalination plants available.
He says he is thankful that the Commanding Officer of the RFMF Engineers said that they are now receiving equipment from Australia which includes desalination plants which can help them in the future.
Cikobia District School Head Teacher, Kilimo Vueti says they have been facing dry weather for the past two months which has resulted in the drying up of their water sources.
He says the school's main water source is rain and now all the school water tanks have dried up except one that has only about 500 litres of water which is currently being used by the students and staff.
He also says they have contacted the Ministry of Education in regards to their water problem, and the Ministry told them to wait for the water barge.
Vueti adds they have also contacted the government station in Labasa and cartons of water have been carried over by a vessel yesterday and will reach the island by tomorrow.
The Head Teacher says the Year 8 external exams will continue as scheduled as the students have been preparing well for it.
He is also pleading to organisations and the government to hear their plea during this time of need.
Meanwhile, a few friends of the Head Teacher had gotten together to organise a water fundraising project to assist the school.
Water Fundraising Organiser Luke Molikeve says they had wanted to assist one of their friends who they went to school together at the Lautoka Teachers College in 2006, and this is where they came to know about the struggles at the school.
He says they came together and collected some funds on Tuesday and bought some cartons of water, which they had sent over yesterday.
He adds they bought about 20 cartons of water, and all cartons are being delivered to the school.
If anyone is willing to assist the school, you can contact Molikeve on 8747675.
Villagers of Cikobia Island in Macuata, Vanua Levu are calling on the government to assist them with water as their main water source is about to run dry.
In a video that has been widely circulated on social media, a girl speaking in the i-Taukei language said that their water source is about to run dry and this water source is used for drinking and also for cooking.
She is hoping that the government will hear their plea and send over water for the children and the elderly living on the island.
The video also showed that the water source for these villagers is dirty and not well-kept.
The community had also written to the government requesting a water barge to cart water three weeks ago, but nothing has been forthcoming.
We have written to the Water Authority of Fiji regarding the request from the villagers of Cikobia. They are yet to respond.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
