“We urgently need government’s assistance as we are not educated enough to decide which is the right water source,” Mr Veibete said.
Water catchment on Tavea Island in Bua on September 5, 2023.
Tavea Village headman Josevata Veibete is worried preschoolers will not be able to resume classes next week because their water source is dried up.
He said for about three weeks, 50 families from the population of 233 on Tavea Island in Bua Province have been without water.
Their water source, which is a spring, has dried up and villagers have been advised by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) to search for an alternative water source.
“We urgently need government’s assistance as we are not educated enough to decide which is the right water source,” Mr Veibete said.
“Water is a daily need and imagine what will happen to our children, elderlies, pregnant women, people living with disabilities and illness.”
After alerting the Bua district officer on Tuesday, he said the WAF carried out an assessment and provided water carts on Wednesday.
“On the island there is one kindergarten while secondary school students travel from the island by boat to attend Lekutu Secondary School on the mainland,” he said.
He commended the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and district officer for his swift response.
WAF RESPONSE
WAF confirmed it is aware of the water situation experienced by villagers of Tavea Island.
It had received a request through the Provincial Administrator of Bua, last week.
A team from WAF visited the site for assessment and immediate response.
As a temporary relief, villagers were assisted with water cart trucks on Tuesday.
A total of 20,000 litres was delivered.
To replenish water levels in their reservoir-which is on the mainland-an additional 10,000 litres was delivered on Wednesday.
WAF is assisting with developing a new rural water scheme, with a more reliable source. This is being organised with the assistance of Commissioner Northern’s office.
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