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http://fijitimes.com.fj/story.aspx?id=155610

 

Fight against dry spell 

Serafina Silaitoga 
Friday, September 10, 2010 

Water sources and supply for a group of villages in the Northern Division have started 
drying up and a committee has been set up to combat the effects of the dry spell. 

The committee, chaired by the divisional planning officer northern Ratu Eliki 
Tikoidraubuta is aimed at keeping a consistent water supply to affected areas in the 
division. 

Ratu Eliki said reports received so far included the drying up of water sources on the 
islands of Yanuca, Yacata, Kavewa, Cikobia and parts of Cakaudrove. 

"The villagers are running out of water supply as their sources have dried up and the only 
supply they have is rain water. 

"At this stage, there are no situations of nil water supply at all so we have activated a 
committee to look into the situation and closely work with villagers including village 
headmen," Ratu Eliki said. 

He said that villagers have depended on the rain or supply of drinking and cooking water. 

Ratu Eliki said they have sent a request to the Ministry of Provincial Development asking 
for a barge to be sent to the north to cart water to the islands. 

"We have engaged the services of the provincial offices to get reports from village 
headmen in the three provinces. 

"The dry spell has affected the Northern Division and we are also keeping a close eye on 
hospitals in the division and working with the health officials on that," Ratu Eliki said. 

The committee has engaged ten military officers to help with carting water to the outer 
islands. 

"It will be good if the barge is sent to the north because it will lighten our work in carting 
water to outer islands and villages in the division."