The Government's commitment towards providing every Fijian with clean and safe drinking water remains a priority.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Parveen Bala reiterated the assurance while addressing stakeholders, students and the western community at the World Water Day celebrations at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
He says the government has consistently worked towards improving access to safe, clean drinking water from the current 78% coverage for Fiji and similarly for sanitation from the current 71%.
Bala says this has been achieved through fast-tracking new and upgraded water mains and expansion, particularly into the rural areas, much of these work included upgrades to infrastructure neglected by previous governments.
He says Government remains committed to ensure that we safeguard the environment and scarce resources such as water.
Bala says for this financial year, a total budget of $306.9 million was provided to the Water Authority of Fiji to facilitate maintenance, upgrading and development of new water and wastewater projects, an increase of $233.4 million from its $73.5 million budget in 2007 and he has no doubt, the figures speak for itself, when people talk about government's commitment.
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