The hassle of getting clean drinking water to Vio Island will now be a thing of the past following the opening of the water extension project on the island yesterday.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says when villagers see the stream of pumped water coming out of a new tap for the first time, they will often break down into tears of joy.

Bainimarama says that he knows exactly why this is such a moving moment, as more than anything, the provision of water represents progress.

“Not so long ago, you needed to go to the mainland by boat, fill drums with water from a tap, and cart the heavy containers back to be used for your drinking and washing. It was quite the process –– but you had no choice. Because water is not a luxury; it is a basic human need. And it’s something that you go through any length to get. Over the years, you have proven that first-hand.”

He says 250 villagers on the Island will benefit from this initiative.

The Water Authority of Fiji has extended Lautoka’s existing reticulation system to Vio, piping water from the mainland under the seabed and directly to the community.

Over half a million dollars was spent on the project.