Water, water eveywhere in Fiji - And not a drop to drink.

The entire infrastructure for water in Fiji, is bursting at the seams- undoubtedly at an opportunistic moment for the consumers/voters. Firstly it only makes the situation more conspicous as a political issue and tests the intentions of the candidates. On the ther hand, the water problem is more of an utter embarrasment for the standing S.D.L Government. Especially in the election campaign, the S.D.L has created a second front, on the NFP/FLP preference issue, which eventually turned tables on their own election agendas. Prompting the S.D.L to change tactics and adopt a guerilla campaign of racial mud-slinging, as demonstrated by Laisenia Qarase's recent comments; in reaction to the preferences.

The government agency responsible for water and quality is Public Works Department. It has grown to become a bureaucratic entity. No longer is the P.W.D able to sustain both the management of roads as well as the maintenance function. No longer can the organization manage water supplies and maintain the crucial conduits that pipes water to the taps of Fiji homes and businesses.
Obviously the official explanation resembles shades of incompetance, especially when they hide behind the up-stream expenditure of the water capacity. Yet glossing over the down stream pipes that have been perpetually ill-maintained.

Here is an exceprt from the project tender description for Suva-Nausori. Note that this civil construction project is for new capacity in the highest growing areas in Suva-Nasinu, due to urbanisation and natural growth. It does not maintain the existing pipe networks in Fiji which have deterioated. This is technically 6 sub-contracts rolled into a single expansion project.

PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD SUVA-NAUSORI WATER SUPPLY & SEWERAGE PROJECT INVITATION FOR CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALIFY FOR WATER SUPPLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

The Government of Fiji has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) towards the financing of Suva/Nausori Water Supply & Sewerage Project and it is intended that part of the proceeds of this loan will be utilised for the construction of the following water supply components:

" Contract WSC 19a/04 - DN500 Rising Main (2.1km) and 500kL
Balance Tank at Savura. "

Contract WSC 20a/04 - DN600 Gravity Main (8.1km) plus a DN450 Gravity Main (1.5km). "

Contract WSC 21a/04 - The Rewa River Raw Water Intake, Pumping Station, DN760 Rising Main (0.8km), 3ML Balance Tank and 760mm Gravity Main (5.5km). "

Contract WSC 22a/04 - 12ML Reservoir at Waila WTP. "

Contract WSC 23a/04 - Refurbishment of the Waila and Tamavua Water Treatment Plants including new sludge treatment facilities. "

Contract WSC 24a/04 -
Rehabilitation of the Main Storage Reservoir at Tamavua WTP. "

Contract WSC 25a/04 - Procurement of the DN760 mains (6.3km) for the Rewa raw water supply.

The Government of Fiji invites qualified and experienced Civil Engineering Contractors to prequalify to tender for the construction of the above components of the Suva/Nausori Water Supply & Sewerage Project. Interested Contractors must demonstrate their capability to undertake the above mentioned works and meet the criteria set out in the Prequalification Document for these contracts. The Prequalification Document for the above contracts may be purchased from: The Director of Water & Sewerage Public Works Department Level 1, Nasilivata House 87 Ratu Mara Road.

Please note that interested parties must purchase the Prequalification Document to be eligible to prequalify for the respective contracts. The purchase price (non-refundable) of the Prequalification Document is F$50.00.

Submissions addressing the prequalification criteria must be lodged with the Secretary of the Public Works Tenders Board and placed in the Tender Box located on Level 2, Nasilivata House 87 Ratu Mara Road Samabula, Suva Fiji. Deadline midday on 11 June 2004.

The Public Works Tender Board shall not be obliged to accept the lowest or any tender. Further information regarding the nature, scope, and prequalification
requirements for the above contracts may be obtained from the Suva/Nausori Water Supply Scheme Project Engineer, Steve Blaik, at the following contacts: Tel:
(+679) 338 4643 Fax: (+679) 338 3013 Email: sblaik@fijiwater.gov.fj.

If the sqeaky wheel gets the most oil. It appears that the most damaged water main in Fiji, gets repaired first. However, if those breaks occur simulataneously in a more upscale neighborhood in Suva, like Domain and a lower class suburb like Vatuwaqa. Nine times out of ten, the pipelines in the upscale areas will be repaired first.

For too long the rural communities of Fiji have suffered from piece meal solutions to their problems. Mainwhile the recently promsed Cost of Living Adjustment for Public sector continues to take out a huge chunk of funds, more beneficial to solving the water problems. It is a damn shame for a nation who exports premium bottled water, yet is uncapable of meeting their social obligations.

Club Em Designs