The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways strives to offer the best services to our stakeholders and is pleased to provide the latest update on our Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) project at Navolau No.1 in Rakiraki, Ra and Somosomo in Taveuni.

This initiative, which began on November 6, 2024, represents our commitment to protecting the coastline and enhancing the resilience of our communities against climate change.

At Navolau No.1, the proposed length of the seawall is 490 meters.

As of now, the overall progress of the project is at 40%.

Construction work began on November 6, 2024, with the contractor engaging two tipper trucks and three excavators. Boulders are being stockpiled while excavating backfill material and 200 meters of backfill have been completed out of the planned 490 meters.

Local youths from the village are actively participating in the project by making concrete drains that connect to the culvert. The contractor has also completed 90 meters of the bouldering work.

Over the next two weeks, the work plan includes engaging an excavator with a rock breaker to break down large rocks into smaller pieces, cutting and shaping the compacted backfill to form the slope, employing two laborers to lay filter cloth on the slope, and placing appropriately sized boulders on the slope.

The remaining tasks include completing boulder protection work at the bottom (3 meters) and top (2 meters) of the embankment. However, progress is being slowed down by adverse weather conditions, as Fiji's cyclone season runs from November to April.

At Somosomo, the proposed length of the seawall is 650 meters.

The ministry is pleased to report that 15% of the project is now complete. Mobilization of machinery commenced on November 21, 2024, marking the start of this important initiative.

This week's highlight is the successful mobilization of machinery, a crucial step in advancing the project. The machinery is now on-site, ready to continue the necessary work to construct the seawall.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways remains dedicated to the successful completion of both the Navolau No.1 and Somosomo NBS Seawall projects.

We appreciate the continued support and patience of the local communities as we work together to protect our coastlines and environment.

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