Fijian residents of the Nabuna Settlement in Lekutu, Bua now have access to clean drinking water after more than 50 years of relying on a nearby spring for daily household needs.

The Nabuna Settlement Water Project was completed through the Fijian Government's Self-Help Program under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.

The project cost more than $19,000 and will support 16 households and more than 40 people, including 21 children and 25 adults.

Nabuna Settlement Water Committee President, Joji Dua, said families had waited generations for reliable access to water.

"For more than 50 years, our families depended on the spring for our daily water needs," Mr Dua said.

"It was a routine that many generations grew up with, carrying water back to our homes every day.

"There were times when accessing the spring was challenging, especially during bad weather."

The new water system provides clean, safe and reliable water closer to homes in the settlement.

The project was officially commissioned in Bua by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu.

The ministry said the new water supply was expected to improve health, reduce the burden of fetching water and provide greater convenience for families in the settlement.

Mr Dua said elderly residents and children were among those most affected by the former arrangement.

"For our elderly residents and children, the task was even harder," he said.

"Today, we are grateful because our people now have access to clean water close to their homes.

"This project has brought real change to our lives."

The Self-Help Program supports community-driven projects designed to respond to local needs in rural and maritime areas.

The Nabuna Settlement Water Project was delivered as part of efforts to improve basic infrastructure and living standards in communities.

Mr Bulitavu said access to safe and reliable water remained central to community wellbeing.

"Water is life," he said. "It is essential for our health, our livelihoods, our children's education and the overall well-being of our communities.

"No family should have to struggle daily to access clean drinking water."

The minister said the project would have a direct impact on daily life in Nabuna, despite its relatively modest cost.

"This investment may seem modest in cost, but its impact on the lives of the people of Nabuna is significant and far-reaching," Mr Bulitavu said.

"It will improve health outcomes, reduce the burden on women and children who often bear the responsibility of fetching water, and provide greater dignity and convenience for every household."

The project also forms part of the ministry's broader approach to inclusive and resilient rural development.

Mr Bulitavu said the Self-Help Program allowed the Government to work directly with communities on practical local projects.

"Through the Self-Help Program, Government continues to partner directly with communities to address their most pressing needs," he said.

"These projects are not only about infrastructure; they are about empowering communities, improving living standards and creating opportunities for sustainable development."

Mr Dua thanked the Government and ministry for supporting the project after years of need in the settlement.

"On behalf of the people of Nabuna Village, I sincerely thank the Government and the Ministry for listening to our needs and helping make this long-awaited dream a reality," he said.