THE district office (DO) on Rotuma has identified the need for solar panels as the answer to the island’s current electricity and water problems.
At present the whole island has access to electricity anywhere between 12 to 18 hours a day, depending on fuel availability. This does not include homes and villages with solar panels.
The same goes for water supply on the island.
“Yes, we are looking to have a consistent and continuous supply,” Rotuma district officer Luke Sava said.
“The only challenge that we have is that we’re relying on diesel.
“The three boreholes that we have on the island, they’re powered by diesel, and one of the ways forward for Rotuma is to rely on the sunlight solar panels. We need solar-powered generators to power the boreholes so that we have a consistent supply of water, which also goes together with electricity.
“For electricity, currently we have a generator powered by diesel, so we need to change that to be able to be more reliant on the sunlight and we can get solar panels.”
Another prominent issue on the island is the lack of network connectivity, and internet services, prompting a heavy reliance on Starlink kits that some of the offices at the Ahau Government Station have.
“That is something that we need now in the maritime islands, in terms of accessibility, also in terms of serving the people well.
“We cannot serve the people well without network and internet connectivity. As I’ve mentioned earlier that now communication is a need and that is why we are thankful to the UNDP for assisting us and providing us with a Starlink package here at the DO’s office on Rotuma.
“The beneficiaries are the people of Rotuma. So, when they need to be they need access to services back in Fiji, they come over to the government station and they access through the Wi-fi.”
Mr Sava said the Council of Rotuma had set up a five-year strategic plan to address the needs of the people and the issues experienced on the island.
“So, for us as government departments, it’s working hand in hand with the Council of Rotuma in trying to tackle those needs and issues that the people of Rotuma really need.”
“There may be comments, but we are working closely to have the strategic plan achieved.”
