Navunikabi villagers reject Namosi Hydro Dam plan, accuse Govt of disrespect

Villagers of Navunikabi in Namosi disagree with the planned construction of the Namosi Hydro Dam by Energy Fiji Limited on their land.

The organisation known as Lomani Au Maroroi Au says on the 19th of July 2024, they wrote to the Namosi Provincial Council and the Commissioner Central that the village refuses to give access for the conduct of the feasibility studies on their land.

The organisation Chairperson, Sipiriano Nariva says there was no reply to the correspondence from them nor further consultation by the government but instead, there was a notification by the Namosi Provincial Council of works on the very same day and EFL commenced with the aerial survey.

There are also claims by the villagers that they saw some Namosi Provincial Council staff allegedly getting $100 bills from an Australian organisation after the hydro dam meeting in Navunikabi.

They say this is a clear sign of disrespect and suppressive actions by the government.

The organisation also highlighted that two weeks ago, the Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua visited their village and relayed that they will need to be prepared for relocation as the Hydro Dam Project will go ahead as it is intended for the Waisoi Mine.

A letter from the Namosi Provincial Council Office to Navunikabi Village on the 26th August 2024 highlighted the approval for the helicopter to fly over the landscape surrounding the area where the dam is to be constructed.

Minister of Rural Development, Sakiasi Ditoka says they will not get into these discussions.

We are currently trying to get comments from the Namosi Provincial Council Office and the Australian High Commission.