Villagers wait for seawall

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Leone Ravuataki sits at the washed away sea wall at his Qelekuro Village in Dawasamu. Picture: RAMA

VILLAGERS of Qelekuro in Dawasamu, Tailevu, are waiting for a new sea wall they claim was promised to them two years ago by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

The current structure, built by their forefathers in the 1970s, has deteriorated, causing tidal surges to invade the village and affect 10 homes.

Village elder, Avenisa Naivana, 66, said the sea wall was constructed at a time when villagers used whatever resources available to them to protect the village during high tide.

“This is a serious concern for villagers here and it has been like this for the past four decades,” Mr Naivana said.

Another village elder Leone Ravuataki, 76, said the future of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren depended on the sea wall.

“The tides have washed away coconut trees and if nothing is done now then our village will end up in the sea within the next few years,” he said.

“This used to be a beautiful beach. “Last month, a team of government officials visited our village to make plans for the construction of a new sea wall, we hope they will build one soon.”

Mr Ravuataki claimed the PM had informed the villagers that the construction of a new seawall was part of Government’s plan during a visit a few years ago.

Two years after Mr Bainimarama visited the village, he said they were still waiting for the construction of the new seawall.

Questions sent to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on February 21 on the claims made by the villagers remain unanswered when this edition went to press.

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