Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says there are a lot of water issues in places like Suva, Nasinu and Nausori due to the rural urban drift, and the Viria Dam will bring relief to many people who do not get consistent water supply.
Sayed-Khaiyum gave this assurance as people from Baulevu Landing in Nausori raised concerns about their water supply during the visit of some of the Ministers in the area after the Nav Durga Temple break-in and burning of the Hindu holy book, Ramayan.
Baulevu Nav Durga Temple priest Vineshwar Sharma says they have raised a number of concerning issues during their consultation with Sayed-Khaiyum.
Sharma says the issue of access to clean drinking water was raised as they do not get supply from the Water Authority of Fiji.
He says they get their water from a waterfall and the water gets contaminated when leaves fall in the dam.
Sayed-Khaiyum told the residents that the building of Viria Dam is costing about US$250 million. He says the money is provided by the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank while the Green Climate Fund will give a grant of about $32 million.
While responding to the concerns, Sayed-Khaiyum says they have received complaints of water cuts in areas like Sakoca, Khalsa Road and Vuci, and also issues like illegal connections affecting supply in places like Sakoca.
Sayed-Khaiyum was accompanied by Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Dr Mahendra Reddy, Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya, Assistant Minister, Vijay Nath, Assistant Minister Jale Sigarara and Deputy Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair.
[Images: Fijian Government]
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