PM commissions new Bio-Engineering Coastal Protection project at Viro Village in Ovalau Island

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says since 2014, they have undertaken 8 coastal protection projects at a cost of more than $5 million.

While commissioning the Bio-Engineering Coastal Protection project at Viro Village in Ovalau Island, Bainimarama says in the process, they have protected more than 2,000 metres of vulnerable coastal areas.

Bainimarama says to build the seawall at Viro Village , the Ministry of Waterways and Environment used an ingenious combination of human-made and nature-based solutions to provide protection that is more effective and less expensive than a concrete wall.

He adds the wall is made of boulders that were acquired nearby, which reduced construction costs, and the mangroves planted in front of the wall and vetiver planted behind the wall provide extra protection for their ability to absorb and contain tidal flows.

Bainimarama further adds that he is pleased to note the project arose from a Talanoa that the people of Viro held with the Minister for Waterways and Environment.