The Ambassador's Speeches

» Handing Over Speech for the New Water Supply Project in Delaitonga

By: Mr. Yukihiro Tsujimura, Second Secretary Embassy of Japan
26th September 2008, 10.30 a.m.
Delaitoga, Naitasiri.

The Distinguished Chiefs of Naitasiri and Delaitoga Village, Hardworking Members of Delaitoga Village Water Project Committee, The People of Delaitoga, Invited guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning and Bula Vinaka
On behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Masashi Namekawa, the Ambassador of Japan, I am delighted to join in this handing-over ceremony and I thank you for the warm welcome accorded to me this morning.

I am glad that you have gathered here in numbers to witness the official handing-over of Japan’s first water supply project in Fiji funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme for provision of a new complete water supply system for the community of Delaitoga. The funding for this project is in line with Japan’s Official Development Assistance policy of promoting development at the grassroots level and is sourced from GGP. This programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure.

Access to clean water is not only a basic need of mankind, but a necessity to sustain, all forms of life in the world. It is often quite easily forgotten, how completely we depend on it. Human survival is dependent on water. Water scarcity and lack of access to water by the poor are among the main obstacles to full enjoyment of the right to water. Our daily lives revolve around the necessity of water. From the moment we wake up to the end of chores each day, we do many things in which water plays a crucial role, such as, drinking, washing, bathing and cleaning. In fact, comfort and hygienic life come with water such as having access to flush toilets, washing machines, sinks and indoor bathrooms are all very rare to see in any rural village settlement. However, the people of Delaitoga will be able to enjoy a better life with such amenities in every house now being possible with this new water supply system. 

I commend the community of Delaitoga village for being generous and patient all along, despite having only one common source of water. I am confident that the new water supply system funded by the Government of Japan will ensure not only easy access to water, but, an efficient and a regular water supply system for the whole community.

This donation from Japanese people and Government is in recognition of the basic human need to access clean drinking water. The Government of Japan has prioritized the development of basic facilities such as this project, to ensure population’s accessibility to clean water.

This assistance is a reflection of Japan’s goodwill and friendship to the Government and people of the Republic of Fiji Islands, and, while helping development of such projects, this assistance will contribute to strengthen the friendly ties between our two countries, Japan and Fiji.

With these few words, I officially hand-over this new water supply system for clean, adequate and regular water supply to all, in every household at Delaitoga village today.

Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.