Infrastructure Minister Jone Usamate says as per the last assessment at 8 o’clock last night the restoration of water to affected areas between Suva and Nausori will be gradual and is anticipated to be completed this Friday.
Thousands of people have been affected by water cuts since Sunday morning with the Education Ministry even advising parents to keep their children at home until tomorrow if they live in an area facing water disruptions.
Usamate says investigations into the root cause of the initial fault are ongoing and shall include an independent assessment which the CEO of the Water Authority of Fiji has instigated.
In a ministerial statement in parliament, Usamate says the fault was detected by the National Control Centre at 10.58am Sunday resulting in the shutdown of all five raw water pumps that serve the Waila Water Treatment Pump.
Usamate says in the business of water and waste water services, challenges are expected to rise exponentially due to climate change and the replacing of old infrastructure.
He says as such, he encourages all WAF customers to be resilient by investing in their own storage capacity which is capable of providing at least two days supply of water.
SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro says they refuse to accept the explanation by Usamate.
NFP MP, Lenora Qereqeretabua says it is a “madua situation” to see residents waiting for water trucks with buckets and drums like none of the government ministers have to do.
Qereqeretabua has urged Usamate to table a motion in parliament for a public inquiry into the operations and functions of the Water Authority of Fiji.
She says the people of this country deserve better, they deserve a 100% access to clean running water.
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