Eleven families residing at Togoru in Navua will benefit from the completion of the Togoru-Taiperia Water project that was handed over to the community by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Sakiasi Ditoka.
The project was developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the risk development phase, and it is the first of its kind in the area.
The project provides a positive impact on the daily lives of individuals, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Ditoka says access to clean and safe water is one of the sustainable development goals that the Government is committed to achieving for people of Fiji.
He says the government is bringing them a new standard of infrastructure that will address the community’s request needs in accessing more consistent, clean, and safe drinking water, which has been an issue in the past.
He adds the facility handed over may be a small investment but will help members of the community in normal times and during times of disaster and he urged them to look after it well.
The Minister also acknowledged the work of the former government.
Togoru Back-Road Communities District Advisory Councillor, Theresa Jacqueline Wise says the issues Togoru faces are not new.
She says young ones do not want to live there any more as they are moving away to places that have running water and power and where climate change is not threatening to claim their homes.
The Minister also assured the Togoru-Taiperia residents that the Government will work with them to address the issues they have raised.
The completed water project involved the construction of a water tank shed, tank basis guttering, and piping system for the rainwater harvesting sites.
