Villagers request for solar powered ice machine plant

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Denimanu villagers on Yadua Island present a sevusevu to Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau during his tour. Picture LUKE RAWALAI

AS their main source of livelihood, the people of Yadua Island in Bua can now preserve their fish longer after they were promised a new solar powered ice machine plant.

Responding to requests for an ice machine plant from villagers during a talanoa session, Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau said with the new system, they did not need to buy fuel for generators to power the new plant.

Mr Koroilavesau said the new system was powered entirely by the sun.

“We will be piloting the solar powered ice machine implementation in Ono-i-Lau, Yasawas and Yadua,” he said.

“The solar powered ice machines contain two systems that depend on fresh water to produce ice cubes while the second system converted seawater to fresh water.

“One of the best things about having such a system in areas where water is scarce is that you do not need fresh water to produce ice cubes.

“The system is solely reliant on the sun meaning that there would be no need for a generator or fuel to generate power.”

Villagers on the island told Mr Koroilavesau that they found difficulties in preserving fish and other marine products to be sold in Nabouwalu.

Villager, Maria Navukara said villagers found it hard to keep their catches in a fresh condition for the market.

Ms Navukara said most times fish and other marine products had to be thrown because they got spoilt especially during adverse weather making travel on the island hard.

“I for one am really happy after we were promised the new solar powered ice machine because it will benefit our people,” she said.

“Once we have the system implemented, we can dispatch our products to markets in a fresh state.”

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