Residents of Vuiraqilai Village in Sasa, Macuata, are currently facing severe challenges due to inadequate road access and unreliable water supply, issues that have persisted since the village’s inception. Teresa Dimere, a 63-year-old resident, has witnessed these difficulties first-hand since her marriage in 1984. Despite numerous petitions over the years, the community is still awaiting a permanent solution to their transportation problems.
Dimere emphasizes how this situation uniquely impacts her family, particularly given her husband’s diabetes, which requires regular hospital visits. Each visit comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $120, a substantial burden for a household dependent on Social Welfare assistance. In an effort to cover these costs, they have been selling farm produce, yet often the income they generate barely covers transportation expenses, leaving little room for necessary medical supplies.
Additionally, the village contends with an unreliable water supply, which has exacerbated everyday life and health issues, particularly affecting families with children in school. Frequent water outages have made access to clean water a significant challenge. The absence of a water tank in the village has further complicated the residents’ situation. Despite their continuous appeals to relevant governmental ministries, there has been little to no progress in rectifying these essential infrastructure concerns.
In light of these ongoing hardships, villagers are appealing urgently to local authorities and governmental agencies to take action. They assert that the continued neglect of these fundamental needs jeopardizes their health, lives, and livelihoods. Nevertheless, the community remains optimistic that by raising awareness and placing pressure on decision-makers, positive change will emerge to improve their living conditions.