Villagers save money on electricity as new hydro opens

High cost of electricity will soon be a thing of the past for the villagers of Somosomo and nearby communities as a new hydro has opened in Somosomo village.

While opening the new hydro Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the new project now brings affordable electricity to Somosomo village, Lamini, Welagi, the Wairiki community, Waiyavu government station and Bucalevu Secondary School on a 24 hour basis.

Bainimarama says students will now be able to study at night and progress in their academic life and excel with their chosen career path.

He says the Somosomo hydro project and Waiyavu power station has been constructed at around a total cost of $21.3m and took two and a half years to complete.

Bainimarama says a $14.5m grant was given by the Government of China while the Fijian government gave $6.8m towards the project.

He says he wants to make it clear to all traditional leaders that are against the government’s development works that the new Somosomo hydro was opened through the government’s consultation with the Chinese government

Bainimarama says this is part of the ongoing efforts by government to provide electricity to various rural areas of the nation and it is one of government’s primary objectives to lift the standard of living in villages and the nation as a whole.