My people in Uciwai don't have water– Dutt calls for basic services before Constitution changes
You all have water in front of those tables. My people don't have water and I'm here fighting for basic rights.Those are the words of Ria Dutt, a former MP in the 2026 Fiji Women's Practice Parliament, as she has called for greater attention to water shortages and basic services for families in Uciwai, Nadi.While asking a question during the Fijian Media Association Town Hall on the Constitution Amendment Bill at the FNU Nasinu Campus, Dutt says people have been left without reliable water for the past 2 years despite existing Water Authority of Fiji pipelines, adding that the people are suffering.
Dutt has also questioned the lack of contingency plans to address the shortage and raised concerns about the quality of water being delivered to residents.She further says young people want answers about the immediate problems affecting their communities rather than a focus on constitutional amendments, adding they need accountability.While responding to the concerns about Uciwai, Deputy Prime Minister and People's Alliance Party Deputy Leader Manoa Kamikamica asked Dutt to take down his phone number, saying he would contact the WAF Chief Executive.Kamikamica says he will make sure the CEO of Water Authority knows about her today.Meanwhile, Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says he agrees with the concerns raised by members of the public, saying the country's problems are the result of poor governance over the past 20 years.Chaudhry says water shortages, health services, unemployment and neglect of the rural sector are among the issues that have not been adequately addressed.He says there has been no investment in agriculture and leaders have been looking after themselves rather than the interests of the people.One Nation President Tupou Draunidalo has called for greater attention to basic services, saying water supply and electricity for people living in informal settlements are more important.While highlighting poverty statistics for the iTaukei, she says getting rid of drugs and HIV from our communities is very important. Draunidalo says because we keep on having these chaotic issues dealing with the Constitution, constitutional change will always bring chaos when there is disunity.Opposition MP Premila Kumar says high Government spending is limiting the funding available for essential services, including water, electricity and roads.
Kumar says Government expenditure needs to be reviewed and reduced so more funding could be directed towards capital works.
Kumar has questioned how much the Government could achieve with $4 billion in revenue, given its high expenditure, including the cost of maintaining numerous ministers and other unnecessary expenses.
She says that is why there is not enough money to provide water, electricity and road.
Kumar says Government expenditure should be reduced to 60 percent so that 40 percent can go towards capital works, adding the public needs to hold the government accountable.
National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says water shortages, droughts and infrastructure problems have affected communities for many years.
He says political instability, poor governance and coups have contributed to the country's infrastructure deficit.
Professor Prasad adds these are real issues for our people, and we need to all work together to address it.
