The commitment to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation goals received a boost yesterday.

This as two new multi-drill rigs have been purchased.

While commissioning the two rigs, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Ashneel Sudhakar, highlighted that the purchase will help enhance their stance on the SDG’s and the National Development Goal.

“Therefore, the procurement of the drill rigs strengthens the National Development Plan through the rural water supply program. It will also provide access to clean water in rural areas to meet the target of 85 percent of rural communities having access by 2021.”

The new rigs will see more Fijians in the maritime islands and rural areas, have easy access to sustainable water sources in the future.

“For the last two financial years, a total of 528 households with a population of 3,107 in the Maritime Islands, villages, settlements, schools have benefited so far from ground water sources. Some of which have experienced critical water shortages annually especially during the dry season.”

This investment has cost approximately $4.2 million which includes equipment, spare parts, and the training.