Partnership between communities vital for community projects: Minister Seruiratu

“The partnership between local communities, civil societies, NGOs, and International Donor Agencies is critical, and there is no more remarkable example of this drive for Public and Private Partnership than the water project we are commissioning today.”

This was highlighted by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Inia Seruiratu, during the commissioning of the Kade Village and Kade Village School Water Project on Monday (14/11/22).

“The nature of this cooperation should be an example to future partnerships,” said the Minister.

In the past, villagers in Kade village on Koro Island relied on the springs that appeared on the foreshore during low tide for water.

With the intervention of the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation (RPW) through the “Building Community Resilience to Climate Change through Civil Society Action (CRCC) Project” and funded by the European Union, Kade village and its school now have a sustainable water source.

The initiative is part of the activity under the CRCC project, developing water treatment systems in vulnerable communities in rural areas of Fiji based on principles of environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular economy.

For Kade Village, a sustainable and low-cost natural water treatment solution has been constructed to resolve water quality problems.

The components of the surface water system include the construction of a weir, slow sand filtration, a break-pressure tank, a transmission line of 4.5 kilometres, water storage tanks, distribution systems within the village, school, communal tap stands, etc.

“For those of us here today, this is the beginning of a new era. No longer will the villagers of Kade have to endure the challenges faced by their forefathers.”

Minister Seruiratu added that water security is important for every individual and community as it is the cornerstone for development and the basis of human survival.

“This is why it is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution and stipulated in the 5-year and 20-year National Development Plan.”

67-year-old Kade villager Rusiate Vakalakovi said the commissioning of their new water reticulation system is a blessing that overwhelms the elders of the village.

Image credit: Fijian Government

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“A huge burden has been taken off our shoulders with this new clean and sustainable water source, and we will be forever grateful to all those involved,” said Mr Vakalakovi.

“For as long as I can remember, Kade village lacked a stable water source, and this problem is now a thing of the past,” he said.

“It is never too late, and our children can now have a healthy future with this new water system in Kade.”

The Kade water project was co-financed by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, VaiWai, and LDS Charities and implemented by RPW.

The Head of the European Delegation to the Pacific, His Excellency Sujiro Seam and representatives from the donor organizations were also part of the event.