Easter celebrations were doubled for Nakawaqa Villagers on Mali Island. This was after a new solar water pump was donated to them by the Mineral Resources Department (MRD) on Monday.

Nakawaqa Village headman, Henry Koliniwai, appreciated the assistance by the department and said their villagers were overjoyed with this new water pumping resource.

Mr Koliniwai said they initially applied for a solar water pump to address their water source concerns, especially during the dry season and cyclone season.

He said the solar water pump would greatly assist their village of 152 people in sourcing adequate water from the nearby borehole.

They also relied on spring water and a well for their water needs.

Mr Koliniwai said they were previous occasions when they had difficulties in sourcing water. They previously relied on a diesel water pump to source water from the borehole, however, this was an expensive task.

“We will now be able to save money on diesel and transportation costs of travelling to Labasa Town to purchase diesel,” he said.

Mr Koliniwai said they would now be able to better manage and irrigate their farm crops with the readily available water source.

“We have livestock as well like ducks, chicken, etc, so enough water would be available for them as well,” he said.

“We will now be able to source adequate water to also operate the flush toilets we have in some houses”.

The solar water pump was installed 500 metres away from the village at their only borehole site.

“I thank the MRD team and the Government for ensuring people in the outer islands are not left behind in terms of securing a reliable water source,” he said.

Mineral Resources Department Acting Director, Raymond Mohammed, said the assistance was part of their department’s goal to support villagers on outer islands with resources to support their water sourcing abilities.

Mr Mohammed said they remained committed to their approach of helping villagers in the maritime islands to have a quality water source.

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