Caption: Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka cuts a ribbon to mark the commissioning of the Naqalotu Village Water Project in Yawe, Kadavu on Wednesday.
KADAVU – Villagers of Naqalotu in the district of Yawe in Kadavu no longer have to rely on rainwater or have to walk at least five kilometers to fetch water for their daily needs.
This follows the commissioning of their very own improved water source by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka this week.
Villagers of Naqalotu, especially women celebrated the commissioning of the new project, describing the development as a “relief to many”.
Naqalotu women’s group leader Ms. Makereta Senikabua, 57, was emotional as she recalled the struggles they endured as mothers in the village.
“We faced a lot of difficulties back then. It has been more than 10 years since we’ve been facing these daily struggles. It was a hard time,” recalled Ms Senikabua.
“We used to fetch water from a nearby reservoir for our daily use, but whenever we run out of water, we have to walk to the river which is located at least five kilometers away from the village. We would walk there with our buckets of clothes for washing and to also get water for cooking at home. At times, there would be an outbreak of diarrhea in the village due to the consumption of untreated water from the river. It was a difficult period especially for us, mothers.”
“But today is a day of celebration. We would like to thank the Government for this much-needed assistance, and for thinking about us in the rural areas,” she added.
In commissioning the project, Minister Ditoka said the Ministry was pleased to be able to assist the village through this water project, with water being a basic need.
Hon. Ditoka also enlightened the villagers of Naqalotu about assistance available for rural and maritime dwellers through the Ministry’s capital programmes.
Hon. Ditoka visited Naqalotu Village as part of his four-day tour of the island of Kadavu.
Caption: Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka and Commissioner Eastern Division Mr. Vitale Varo with villagers of Naqalotu in the district of Yawe in Kadavu after the commissioning of their water project.
Caption: Naqalotu women’s group leader Ms. Makereta Senikabua drinks water from a tap after the commissioning of the Naqalotu Village Water Project in Yawe, Kadavu.
