Villagers of Mali Island in the province of Macuata believe their pleas for a sea wall have fallen on deaf ears despite years of raising concerns over rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
The island, which is home to the villages of Ligaulevu, Vesi, and Nakawaga, continues to face the brunt of climate change as seawater encroaches further inland, threatening homes and livelihoods.
Mali district representative Pita Baleibau said the sea wall issue had been raised with the authorities for decades although it remained unresolved.
“For more than a decade, villagers have been raising concerns about rising sea levels but nothing has been done to address the issue,” Mr Baleibau said.
While the Government is aware of the issue, he said progress had been slow.
“We know that the Government has been working on this issue, and every year during district meetings, the concern about sea level rise and the need for a sea wall continues to be discussed and followed up.”
Mr Baleibau said he hoped their renewed push for action would finally bring the long-awaited sea wall to protect their homes and future generations.
“Now that I’m newly-appointed as mata ni tikina, it’s been a concern for me to work on it,” he said.
In response, Climate Change Minister Mosese Bulitavu said the villages were included in the list of communities earmarked for the construction of sea walls.
He said they were among 140 villages identified to be provided sea walls.
