The lack of water supply in the village of Muana-Ira in the Rewa Delta has been a major problem that they have been facing in the last 50 years and for them, water is a luxury.
This was highlighted by former district representative, Peniasi Naimoso during an interview with fijivillage News.
Naimoso says they have a lot of issues regarding water supply that they need to discuss with the Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau, and the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka but it was unfortunate that they did not turn up to the village last Friday.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission had organized a special visit to the village to discuss about the villagers not having the basic need of life, water, and the struggles they have had to go through for the past 50 years.
Naimoso says for the Ministers not to be present as expected is a disgrace for them.
Two Water Authority of Fiji engineers visited the village on behalf of the WAF CEO.
The Chairman of Vutia District, Uraia Waibuta says for the last 50 years he has not been using the shower to bath even though they have a bathroom.
Waibuta says despite facing water disruptions for the past many years, the villagers have tried their best to improvise with whatever resources they have to meet their daily needs.
He says after the meeting, they hope to see a change in the water issue, as the Water Authority of Fiji representatives have elaborated on the reason why they have been facing water disruptions because of pipe bursts.
When contacted by fijivillage News, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Sakiasi Ditoka says improving and developing villages is one of their core initiatives and he will be working closely with his team to reach out to those vulnerable communities and help them.
Ditoka says many issues have been raised in the village and they will try to work out ways to address those concerns.
We have sent questions to the Minister for Public Works, Ro Filipe Tuisawau. He is yet to respond.
