Sabeto village to benefit from $1.7m evacuation centre

Residents of Nagado Village in Sabeto, Nadi, will soon have a dedicated safe haven during natural disasters with the government's allocation of $1.17 million for a new evacuation center. The facility, set to be constructed under the Infrastructure Natural Resource Owners Grant Programme, will cover 247.45 square meters and is scheduled for completion within 24 weeks. This project aims to provide crucial shelter for the community, which is frequently exposed to climatic challenges like severe weather conditions and other natural disasters.

Officiating the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, emphasized the government's commitment to building durable infrastructure capable of withstanding Fiji's adverse weather. The Public Works Department will actively oversee the construction quality, ensuring the facility meets high standards. The Minister also acknowledged the Nagado resource owners and landowners for their cooperation in making land available for this vital development, including a water catchment area.

This new evacuation center is a key component of the government's broader strategy for resilient infrastructure development, designed to meet both current and future needs. The Divisional Engineer West has been urged to ensure the project is executed on time, delivered with quality, and completed within budget. A village elder expressed deep gratitude, noting that the new center will eliminate the need for villagers to travel further uphill to the existing, less accessible evacuation site during emergencies. Further infrastructural enhancements, including roadworks, are planned for the Sabeto area, signaling a comprehensive approach to strengthening local infrastructure.

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The Government will ensure that this facility is durable and able to withstand Fiji’s adverse weather conditions.