Approximately 200 residents of Waicoka Village are relieved after the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Honourable Ashneel Sudhakar and Minister for Waterways and Environment, Honourable Dr. Mahendra Reddy commissioned dredging works to begin in Waidamu River.
Waicoka Villlage and some other surrounding villagers are adjacent to the 18 kilometer long Waidamu River.
The Honourable Minister said that thorough consultations have been carried out in order to undertake this important project.
“Low-lying coastal arrears and river-side communities including Waidamu Village have witnessed increase in population density, urbanization, change in land use patterns and land subsidence, therefore these increase in pressures can make these land zones highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change, not only through flooding and erosion, but also larger implications over our ecosystems, he added.
Honourable Reddy added that such communities affected by the impacts of climate change will not be ignored and the Fijian Government will always assist in full force by coming up with smart solutions.