Ro Filipe calls for collaboration to improve water services as $8.5B investment is needed

The Ministry for Public Works is calling on every individual, stakeholder, and donor to work together to improve water services, not only in urban areas but in all communities in Fiji, as an investment of $8.5 billion is needed for water and sanitation over the next three decades.

While speaking at the launch of the Water Sector Strategy 2050 at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Suva, Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau says water cuts experienced a few weeks ago not only affected certain people but also had a wide range of impacts on all sectors.

Ro Filipe highlighted that the Water Authority of Fiji aims to provide sustainable, cost-effective, efficient, and reliable water and sanitation services to all.

WAF Chief Executive Officer, Doctor Amit Chanan, says WAF also needs to renew its aging infrastructure since most of it is old, which can result in disruptions and inefficiencies in the delivery of water and wastewater services.

He says there is a need to invest in asset renewal and system redundancy to ensure a reliable 24/7 service supply to customers.

Dr. Chanan has also stressed the need for development partners to work together.