THE Phase 1 and 2 works of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources Ground Water Development Project in Nadhari settlement, Ba has been completed.
This is according to Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Ashneel Sudhakar who clarified in a statement that Phase 1 which is the hydro-geological assessment (groundwater investigation) was undertaken through the Micro Project Program (MPP), a joint effort of the South Pacific Community (SPC), Mineral Resource Department (MRD) and funded by the European Union.
He said the second phase of the project included a borehole which was drilled to a depth of 50 meters will benefit 97 households, comprising mainly sugar cane farmers within the area.
Mr Sudakhar confirmed that the newly purchased TONE 300 Drill Rig from Japan which is the latest version was deployed for the first time to this area to help in the groundwater exploration drilling.
He said Phase 2 of reticulation works, will begin soon whereby 402 villagers would benefit from the ground water resource.
Nadhari settlement is a cane belt area that had been selected based on the severity of water problems faced by the farmers.
Additionally, people of Navia settlement in Ba, and Volivoli (1 and 2) settlement, and Rarapatu settlement in Rakiraki, will also benefit from a Groundwater Development Project that will commence soon.
“Those villages facing problems with access to clean and safe drinking water can lodge their request for boreholes at their respective district office,” Mr Sudhakar said.
