THE vanua o Ra is offering the developers of the proposed $1.4billion Waste to Energy power plant to move the location of the project to the Ra province.
Tui Nalawa Ratu Epeli Niudamu said they were open to having these discussions with the directors of The Next Generation (TNG) Fiji after the proposed site in Naikorokoro Point in Saweni, Vuda, was met with mounting criticism.
“We are open to discussing it with them,” said Ratu Epeli.
“If there is a lot of opposition to the current site, then the vanua o Ra is willing to sit down with the developers to talk about the possibility of moving the project to Ra.”
Tui Nalawa’s proposal comes on the back of increasing opposition towards the project from local and international citizens, business owners, foreign dignitaries, and government officials, including Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka.
Resource owners are among one of the strongest voices within the ongoing public discussion.
In the Vuda district, some landowners from Viseisei Village have endorsed the initiative while those in neighbouring Lauwaki Village have vehemently opposed any discussion connected to the proposed power plant.
Leading support for the project are Taukei Nakelo Josaia Natakele and Ratu Meli Tora Tavaiqia.
During the first round of consultations in January this year, Ratu Meli said change was inevitable.
“It has to happen,” said Ratu Meli.
“This place has been left idle like this for donkey’s years. Investors have come in and gone. My people are still here (living) under the poverty line. This is an opportunity with all the benefits … and if I do not support the idea, something must be wrong with me.”
Meanwhile, tokatoka o Wadigi headman Apimeleki Nasalo led a delegation to the Prime Minister’s office this week to present their petition of opposition signed by resource owners.
He said those opposing the project did not want the proposed power plant near tourism developments that were planned for the area.
