Westin Sewer Pump Station upgrade expected to begin next year

In a bid to improve the aging sewer pump station in Denarau, the Ministry of Tourism, with the Water Authority of Fiji and Denarau Corporation Limited, are jointly working on the upgrade of the Westin Sewer Pump Station.

Work on the more than 50 year old station is expected to begin next year and complete in 2026.

The Ministry says on average, 3,000 people pass through Denarau Island – either for work, transit, or holiday but these numbers alone do not account for future developments.

They say to ensure the infrastructure is able to accommodate current and future demands in the last five months, the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with WAF and Denarau Corporation Limited, has held a series of consultations on the upgrading of the aging infrastructure.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, says there are competing priorities for rural and urban development, however he sees this as a priority area for consideration given Denarau will continue to expand in the years ahead.

He says Denarau Island alone accounts for 22 percent of total visitor days making it one of the most visited tourism areas, and they expect it to grow with at least two new hotel investments currently underway, adding pressure on the existing infrastructure.

Gavoka says while there is a need to prioritise Fiji’s infrastructure developments, they must ensure regions that generate significant revenue for the tourism industry and the economy are also considered and this is where the public and private partnership is key.

Denarau Corporation Limited General Manager, Nezbitt Hazelman says with the right expertise, consultation and financial support, they can ensure long-term solutions for Denarau Island to continue to provide pristine services to their guests and residents.

WAF Chief Infrastructure Delivery Officer Sourav Majumder says that they are proposing to deliver the project to upgrade the sewer pumping station and the sewer line to the Navakai Wastewater Treatment Plant in a phased approach.