$6.3 million has been allocated in the Revised 2021-2022 National Budget to the Water Authority of Fiji to address water disruption issues in the Suva-Nausori corridor, Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa.
In total, WAF is allocated $195.2 million.
$80.7 million is for operating expenditure and $114.5 million is for capital investment in water and wastewater network.
$40.9 million is allocated for the Viria Project which is planned to reduce the number and extent of water disruptions and other woes in the Greater Suva-Nausori corridor.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says despite delays as a result of COVID-19, construction is well underway and expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.
The total cost of the project is around $270 million.
Once completed, the project will increase the capacity of the Water Authority of Fiji in the Suva-Nausori area by 40 million litres per day, with the plant designed for an additional capacity of 40 million litres per day.
On electricity, it has been announced that the Government will ensure the households in the Central Division that do not have access to electricity in areas such as Korovou, Tailevu, Namosi, Naitasiri and Serua will be connected to the Energy Fiji Limited grid.
Sayed-Khaiyum says during the next three financial years, the Fijian Government will be allocating a sum of around $20 million to fund a total of 177 schemes for which survey and quotations have been completed by EFL.
This will benefit more than 10,000 Fijians living in areas such as Mavua, and Navuto in Sigatoka; Dratabu, Navuso, and some areas in Votualevu in Nadi; Abaca, Natawarau, Lovu, Tavakubu, and households without electricity living along Vuda Back Road in Lautoka; Balevuto, Moto, Vatusui, and Vakabuli in Ba; Waiqumu Settlement, Wairuku; Nadele, Nabuna, Toko, Vuniniurea in Tavua; Navolau, Tavuvatu, and Naqaqa in Rakiraki. For the Northern Division, areas such as Muqumuqumu, Bulileka, and Korotari in Labasa; Nabalebale, Matakunea, Nasavu, Natuvu, and Natua in Savusavu; Drekeniwai, and Burotu in Taveuni.
$6.1 million has been allocated to extend the grid to communities that are not currently served.
Sayed-Khaiyum has revealed that a total of 48 schemes will be implemented, with more than 5,000 Fijians to be benefited from the programme – 13 in the Central Division, 29 in the Western Division and 6 in the Northern Division.
A total budget of $9.7 million has been allocated for the Housewiring and Grid Extension Programme.
$3.65 million of that total is for the complete installation of proper wiring in homes that will connect to the EFL grid system which will benefit 42,486 people.
Click to read: 2021-2022 Revised Budget Estimates
Click to read: 2021-2022 Revised Budget Supplement
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