1
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MUMA-7ZTW4R?OpenDocument
Fiji: Government allocates $6m for flood protection
Source: Government of Fiji
Date: 19 Jan 2010
Government has allocated $6 million from its 2010 Budget towards flood protection
works in a bid to reduce flood damage to agricultural crops, buildings, towns and
villages.
Major projects that will be implemented through these funds are the third phase
dredging of the Nadi River, the maintenance dredging of the Labasa and Wailevu
Rivers in Vanua Levu and the Rewa River in the Central Division, rehabilitation of
the Mulomulo Dam and construction of a new dam in the Nadi Watershed, and repair
of the river bank protection works at Nawaqarua Village in Ba.
Ministry of Primary Industries Director for Land and Water Resources Management
Division Mr Lakshman Mudaliar said tackling flooding in the Nadi River basin is an
immediate issue due to its social, economic and environmental impacts.
"Nadi is one of the two largest population centres in Fiji with thriving economic
activities that revolve around agriculture, tourism and sugar," Mr Mudaliar said.
"The January floods of last year caused significant damages to property and
infrastructure as well as disrupting economic activity and affecting lives of
communities in the area."
"Government's commitment is to provide investor confidence and to improve the
socio-economic status of the area and this is heavily dependent on reducing the risk
and vulnerability to floods."
Threats of floods are always a concern to those living on river flats and low lying
areas whenever there is a continuous heavy downpour or a cyclone.
"The objective of the flood mitigation program is to provide protective measures that
will reduce the incidence of floods and its damaging impact."
"The cause of floods is usually related to the heavy sedimentations of our river system
that was usually associated with torrential rainfall and cyclones."
Mr Mudaliar said Government had completed the first and second phase dredging of
the Nadi River and the aim this year is to complete phase three.
"The first phase of the project was implemented in 2008 where a total of 1.8
kilometres of the river mouth was excavated to remove 365,000 cubic metres of
sediment."
2
"The second phase of inland works was carried out last year which involved the
dredging of 1.5 kilometres from Moala Village upstream and removed 410,000 cubic
metres of sediment."
Mr Mudaliar said the third phase will involve the dredging of 3.5 kilometres to
remove 450,000 cubic metres of sediment.
"The work will be outsourced to a private contractor and the villages along the
riverbanks will benefit from improved and additional land made available for
development and employment opportunities."
On the maintenance dredging of the Rewa, Labasa and Wailevu rivers, Mr Mudaliar
said this will be carried out to improve the flow capacity of the rivers and also reduce
the risk of flooding.
"The dredging of the Qawa, Labasa and Wailevu Rivers started in 1998 and was
completed in 2003."
"There is a need to continue with the maintenance dredging of these rivers to maintain
their flood discharge capacities and improve navigation for ships to the township of
Labasa."
Mr Mudaliar said frequent flooding of the Rewa River has damaged properties,
agricultural crops, affected livestock, disrupted business, communication,
transportation, and water supply and adversely impacted rural dwellers.
"Rural development plans to improve the quality of life in this area are dependent on
the dredging of the river to provide protection against the risk and impact of floods."
"The use of dredged materials for rural roads, land reclamation and village
embankments against rising sea levels are in demand."
Referring to dam rehabilitation works in the Nadi watershed, Mr Mudaliar said this
was damaged by the floods during Cyclone Mick. The construction of such dams is to
regulate and control the flow of waters during periods of intense rainfall to reduce the
impact of flooding in the lower river basin and complements the river dredging works
in the Nadi River.
In regards to the repair of the Nawaqarua Village bank protections, Mr Mudaliar said
the village's bank protection was constructed in 1997 during the Ba Dredging Project.
It was damaged during the floods of 2009, placing the villagers and about 650 metres
of reclaimed land at risk of being washed away.
"This will severely impact on the villagers' livelihood as rural housing and roads were
constructed as a result of the increased security provided by the river bank protection
works."
The construction of the riverbank protection at Nawaqarua will be similar to the one
carried out at Narewa Village in the Nadi River."
