The Coalition Government’s investment in water infrastructure is not for “political survival”, says Minister for Infrastructure Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
While delivering his ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday, Ro Filipe said the Coalition Government was here for the people and that collaboration and cooperation was the hallmark of developing the Water Sector 2050 Strategy.
“It is a promise to prioritise the development of our people, and it is a call to action for collaboration and cooperation across sectors and communities,” he said.
“Significantly, the Coalition Government is not planning for its survival in four years but is planning for the next three decades, irrespective of who is in government.”
He said these water sector strategies were from the Coalition Government to those who would go after us.
“Let me emphasise, coming after us, it doesn’t have to be us. So, we are forward-looking, but not for political survival.
“With a structured roadmap to implement to deliver the developed vision of this strategy, we need to work together and look beyond one-term parliamentary politics.
“Water infrastructure, by definition, requires long-term thinking.”
He said he also noted the difference between 16 years of the previous government versus just 16 months of this Coalition Government.
“In 16 years, under the rule of those opposite, our water sector endured sheer neglect. They had no plan and worse, they continued to reduce Water Authority’s much needed capital budget.
“In just 16 months, this Government has worked with all segments of Fijian society and with our development partners with a renewed focus on restoring our water sector. And this Water Sector 2050 Strategy is our plan to deliver on that vision.”
