Govt working on rainwater harvesting policy to combat dry season

The government is working on a rainwater harvesting policy so that rain water can be captured to be used in the prolonged dry season.

Agriculture Minister Inia Seruiratu said this issue will be brought before parliament soon.

His comments came after Opposition parliamentarian Ratu Isoa Tikoca raised an urgent question if government can give a subsidy for 5,000 litre tanks so that it can assist people in areas that are going to be affected to buy their own tanks at a reasonable cost.

Seruiratu said this assistance can be considered later.

Opposition parliamentarian Viliame Gavoka also asked the government about their preparations to fight fire in the dry season.

Seruiratu replied that they are working towards mapping water points in the rural areas around the country for two reasons.

Local Government Minister Parveen Bala said they discussed this matter this morning and the Water Authority of Fiji to look into all affected areas where they have piped water system.

He added the government machinery is in place and if people living in rural and maritime areas face any difficulties they can go to respective Commissioners as they have task force teams setup.