How can Fiji supply water to a large-scale, integrated development in Nasese when there are families in Lami, Delinavesi, Tacirua and Cunningham who face water cuts on a daily basis.
This was the question posed by Dr Apisalome Movono senior lecturer in Development Studies at Massey University, New Zealand, in relation to the proposed $600 million Tian Lun Ltd integrated hotel-tourism project in Nasese.
“Is it fair to prioritise tourists ahead of locals?” he asked.
Dr Movono also said there were critical questions that the developers would need to answer in relation to how the project, once completed, would impact on the environment on a daily basis.
“Where will all the sewerage, wastewater, kitchen refuse et cetera go? Will the developers treat their own waste?”
He said ensuring local businesses benefitted and retention of tourism earnings were important considerations.
“More importantly, how will they source food and supplies for the hotel locally or will they need to import, leakages (of the tourism dollar)?
“These are but a few questions that need to be answered from a development and operational resource standpoint.”
Dr Movono said it was important to ensure Fijians were employed and that they were mentored and up-skilled.
“More importantly, do the developers have the intention to train and empower our people to ascend management positions or are we going to just fill up the menial roles in housekeeping and front office which much of the big bucks goes to expats?
“Lastly, who stands to benefit the most, the upper 1 per cent or will this mega development trickle down to Suva citizens?”
