$327k for safe water

FAMILIES in Lumiboso Village, Vanua Levu, now have access to safe water and improved water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) services thanks to the $327,099 given by the Japanese Embassy to Habitat for Humanity Fiji.

At the grant signing on Tuesday, interim national director Habitat for Humanity Fiji Glen Brewerton said the funds would be used for the installation of a new water system in the village.

The project would include a dam catchment approach, installation of a 10,000-litre storage tank, reticulation system, construction of community toilets and WASH facilities.

He said the project was set for completion in the next 12 months with the procurement beginning in August. Mr Brewerton said together with the infrastructure that would be built, there would be complementing WASH operation and maintenance training conducted to ensure the community was able to sustain the systems in place.

Japan Embassy counsellor and deputy head of mission Tanaka Kenichiro said the project was made possible through Japan’s Grassroot Grant Assistance Scheme (GGP).

Mr Kenichiro said the implementation of the project would allow the villagers to access clean water as well as have hygienic toilet facilities.

“The village has, for years, lacked basic proper water supply and had a poor sanitary system,” he said. “The villagers are forced to use the river nearby which was not recommended by the nearest health centre.

“With poor sanitation and unhygienic facilities, community members are prone to contracting diseases.

“Hence, Japan decided to provide a new water supply system and nine community toilet facilities to the village.”

Habitat for Humanity Fiji and the Japanese Embassy have been collaborating since 2010 through nine projects.