PM commissions new Nabouwalu Water Treatment Plant

About 3000 residents of Nabouwalu and surrounding areas will now have access to safe and clean drinking water following the commissioning of the new Nabouwalu Water Treatment Plant by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

After years of relying on untreated water, the much-talked-about project represents a significant milestone in the Coalition Government’s commitment to providing clean and safe drinking water to the people in the area.

While officiating at the commissioning, the Prime Minister stressed the critical role of water in sustaining life.

The project was partly commissioned in 2022 by the previous administration and has now been completed under the term of the Coalition Government.

Rabuka says the new National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050, outline the Coalition Government’s priority and unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Fijian has access to clean water, especially those in remote towns such as Nabouwalu.

He says the Government is not only prioritising the needs of Fijians residing in our urban towns and cities but is committed to ensuring equitable and sustainable development for all.

He adds that, as a responsible government, they will ensure that every Fijian is provided with an equal footing to thrive.

The Prime Minister says the $5.4 million project, initiated by the previous administration in 2022 and completed by the Coalition Government, features a state-of-the-art 2-million-litre Packaged Water Treatment Plant, a 1-megalitre reservoir (264,172 gallons), upgraded pipe networks, electrical systems, and backup generators—all of which are now fully operational.

Rabuka acknowledged the efforts of the previous government in initiating the project, which will support most of the key facilities such as the Nabouwalu Hospital and Health Centre, Nabouwalu Jetty, Nabouwalu Fire Station, Government Station and the Bua Provincial Council.

He adds this project will play a pivotal role in supporting the future growth and development of the upcoming Nabouwalu Township.

The successful completion of the project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Water Authority of Fiji, Caledonienne des Eaux (New Caledonia), SUEZ (France), Zion Civil Works Limited (Fiji), and Clyde Equipment (Fiji) Limited.

Attending the event were the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo, Assistant Minister for ITaukei Affairs Isikeli Tuiwailevu, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna and Assistant Minister for Information Aliki Bia.