The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) says the 2022-2023 National Budget is a strong way forward for Fiji as we begin our journey of recovery from global economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently, the Russia-Ukraine war.
“This budget has a strong focus on mitigating some of the effects of inflationary impact, whilst also ensuring that our program of water infrastructure projects are still funded and on track,” said WAF Chair Bhavesh Kumar.
He added that it is good to see that many of WAF’s projects aimed at improving water and wastewater services to ordinary Fijians have received funding allocation. Mr Kumar added that projects already under construction, including the ambitious Rewa River Water Supply Scheme have secured allocation in the budget, ensuring that this 270 million dollar project will be completed this financial year ending the water woes for people living in Lami-Suva-Nausori corridor.
“We have weathered the brunt of the economic storm, and it is encouraging to see that Government is still focussing on a people-centric approach through the provision of robust water infrastructure.”
$204.3 million has been allocated to the Water Authority of Fiji. $89.2 million is allocated for operating expenditures, while $115.1 million is allocated for Capital investment to improve and expand the nation’s water distribution network and wastewater management systems. The budget also provides for WAF to start working on Water Sector 2050 Strategy, a long term plan for climate resilient water infrastructure of the future.
WAF’s service footprint covers some 772,000 Fijians nationwide, with 154,383 water and 33,190 wastewater active connections.
