Valenicina residents still struggling for roads, water and electricity after years of waiting

Residents of Saioni Settlement in Valenicina, Lami, say they are still living without proper road access, running water and electricity despite years of waiting for assistance, forcing families to rely on fundraising, rainwater collection and solar power to survive.Community representative Mereoni Naimawi spoke to fijivillage News saying that the poor condition of the settlement’s access road remains one of the community’s biggest challenges.

Insert: Mereoni Naimawai - No cement (VITI ONLY)

Naimawi adds that while the community also applied for government assistance for electricity in 2014, the power lines were only installed last year.

However, she says the approval is still pending for the electricity supply to reach homes higher up in the settlement.

She says many households previously depended on kerosene lamps before turning to solar power systems.

Naimawi says the community also continues to struggle with water access, relying mainly on stored rainwater and wells.

Another community representative, Silina Tavodi says life in the settlement has been challenging for decades.

She recalled a time when residents without electricity had to pay neighbours to charge their mobile phones.

Insert: Silina Tavodi - Solar charge (VITI ONLY)

Tavodi adds that many residents do not have a stable income and often depend on support from relatives with jobs.

She says fundraising for road improvements remains difficult because many residents struggle to contribute enough money to purchase cement and materials needed for repairs.

We have sent questions to the Water Authority of Fiji and Energy Fiji Limited.