Only four water-carting trucks service the entire Central Division which comprises about 40 per cent of Fiji’s population and 334 villages.
And the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is struggling to meet demands during water shortages and disasters.
Commissioner Central Division Josefo Navuku revealed this while addressing officials at a disaster-preparedness meeting in Suva yesterday, warning that limited resources were delaying water deliveries across the division’s five provinces.
“Water Authority only has four vehicles – four trucks – dedicated to water carting in the Central Division,” he said.
“When demand increases, delivery is delayed because of the limited fleet.”
Mr Navuku said the Central Division stretched from Mango Bay Resort to the Wainibuka border in Ra and included 56 tikina, 160 district advisory councillors and 24 wards.
He urged government departments, schools and institutions to prepare their own water-supply arrangements during emergencies.
“I’m asking line agencies to budget for water-carting under their disaster allocations. When your institutions are in need of water, rely on your own funding to avoid further delays.”
He said water scarcity was emerging as a serious challenge that demanded cooperation.
“This is an area where we must work together and plan ahead.”
Mr Navuku also encouraged stronger disaster-risk committees in every village and ward to support response efforts at the community level.
