Dredging undertaken at the Qawa, Labasa and Wailevu Rivers - Reddy

Dredging undertaken at the Qawa, Labasa and Wailevu Rivers - Reddy

By Faria Begum
Tuesday 06/03/2018

Dredging has been undertaken at the Qawa River, Labasa River, and Wailevu River because these three rivers have been identified to have major problems.

Minister for Waterways, Mahendra Reddy has highlighted this in parliament when FijiFirst MP, Alvick Maharaj had asked about the status of the work carried out on these rivers.

Reddy says the rivers get sediments from upstream and are subjected to frequent flooding during medium to high intensity rain causing flooding in nearby communities.

He says the 2017-2018 budget had a $3 million dollars allocation for the purchase of dredgers and there is currently a dredger in Nausori and one in Labasa which are 40 years old which the Ministry is looking to retire this year.

Reddy says the dredger had been under repair and two months ago it was recommissioned and the Ministry is dredging Qawa River, the Labasa Navigational Channel and possibly Qaleqa River as well.

The Minister says in the next two months 80,000 cubic meters of silt and soil will be dredged from the three rivers which will assist in mitigating an overflow of water into Qawa flats, Soasoa flats, Basoga, Vunivau, Namara, Nailawa, Naseakula village, Wailevu flats and Tabucola flats. 

He says since dredging works in 1998, there have been no major floods in Labasa.

NFP MP, Prem Singh had asked when dredging will be done in the Rakiraki, Ba and Nadi Rivers, given their frequent flooding.

Reddy says they will be making a full ministerial statement on the Nadi River next Monday, while a tender has been put out for dredging works in the Rakiraki River.

He says the entire Penang River will need to be cleared of debris and then the river will be deepened and widened and the Ministry of Economy is processing the tender which they will give out to the potential tenderer to undertake the works.

SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula pointed out that the major issue for Qawa River is pollution from the FSC mill and if the Minister could assure there would be no more pollution of that manner.

Reddy had replied that the latest news on that is that there is no more discharge from the FSC into the Qawa River.

FEATURE NEWS
People in Lami continue to face water cuts
People in Lami continue to face water cuts for the second day now, and concerns are being raised on why water supply disruptions are faced in areas li...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Heavy rain and strong winds remains across Fiji, flooding risk remains
A heavy rain warning remain across Fiji as an active trough of low pressure affects the group, bringing strong winds to parts of the country. The ...
55 minutes ago

Raiwaqa murder accused awaits plea hearing on March 14th
Anare Vuli Cilicewa, the 24-year-old accused of murdering his 28-year-old de-facto partner in Raiwaqa, Suva in September last year will have his plea ...
2 hours ago

Trial date set for July to August for Bainimarama, Sayed-Khaiyum and Sharma
A trial date has been set by the Suva Magistrates Court for the case of abuse of office against Voreqe Bainimarama, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Neil ...
2 hours ago

26-year-old in court for allegedly giving liquor to toddler, and posting photos online
A 26-year-old waitress who was allegedly responsible for circulating an image of a toddler with a glass of beer has been charged and will front the ...
3 hours ago

FCEF undertakes consultation on labour law reform in Fiji to develop a proactive strategy
To develop an inclusive and proactive strategy, the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation is undertaking a nationwide consultation with its members ...
4 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson
Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson ...
2 hours ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and Adi Tulia Nacola
The candid interview focuses on Nacola, coming from a chiefly family and being a daughter of a Minister who was ousted in the 1987 military coup, her ...
6 hours ago

World Radio Day
Radio remains one of the best mediums for news and information for a number of reasons and in situations such as natural disasters and political ...
13 days ago

TOP