Five villages in the district of Nayalayala, Ra, say they are opposed to a proposed $10.1 million FIJI Water project for two additional boreholes to extract more water.
The villagers expressed their opposition during an environmental impact assessment public consultation in Tavua on Friday.
Drauniivi villager Jone Kumidamu said they were not happy with the company’s proposal because it could potentially affect their water supply.
“The main concern for us is the village itself does not have sufficient water supply,” he said.
“We want them to first help us get proper supply before they take more water from our land.”
He said the village had sought assistance from the new Coalition Government over the issue.
“First and foremost the company should come and talk to us directly.
“They have not done that. So we have approached Government to ask them to review the ownership of the land on which the company operates.”
Drauniivi Village headman Tomasi Tuibua said they intended to take their concerns directly to the company.
“For so long we have been asking them to help us address our water issues,” he said.
“We have more than 200 households in Drauniivi and the one borehole we are getting our water from is not enough to supply water to every house.
“So we hope that the company hears us out before they go ahead with this development.”
According to the EIA report presented by Erasito Cosultants, a community consultation was held on December 15 last year at the Tavua Hotel where those who attended were informed of the proposed project.
The report stated that sustainability of the aquifer was critical to FIJI Water and the construction of monitoring bores contributed to good aquifer stewardship.