Residents of coastal villages in Gizo, Western Province, including Nusabaruku, Fishing Village, Lire, and other nearby areas, are grappling with increasing challenges in constructing proper toilet facilities due to rising sea levels.
An assessment report conducted by Ward Development Committee (WDC) Team of Gizo Ward 11confirmed this alarming situation.
Speaking to the Solomon Star, Sintau Bobai, the Community Project Officer for Gizo Ward 11 WDC, explained that after an assessment few years ago, three communities, Nusabaruku, Fishing Village, and Lire have applied for sanitation projects.
However, the major challenge for these communities remains the impact of climate change.
“Residents living near the coastline report that when they attempt to dig for proper sanitation, the ground is too wet and unstable.
‘’The tide often washes away our efforts.” Sintau said.
Additionally, the situation is complicated by the presence of illegal squatters in the area.
He noted that relocating them to suitable land for proper sanitation could result in conflicts or legal challenges, as the land is often owned by the government and other people.
One of the challenges faced by the WDC is the lack of awareness and capacity to provide the communities with necessary education on how to address these issues.
However, after attending a workshop with UNICEF, ADRA, and RWASH in Gizo last week, Sintau said the WDC now has a better understanding of how to connect the communities to proper channels for assistance.
“Traditionally, many communities have used the beach or the sea to dispose of waste,” he said.
“While some communities on Gizo Island have adopted proper sanitation systems, others still rely on the coastline due to the high cost of building toilets.”
He further explained that some communities have requested individual toilets for each home, but due to limited WDC budgets, only one toilet per community can be provided as part of the sanitation project.
“When other stakeholders and NGOs like RWASH and ADRA come in, it makes it easier for the communities to access proper sanitation.
“These organizations assist in constructing toilets through projects like No Open Defecation (NOD),” he added.
This situation highlights the urgent need for government intervention and support from local authorities, provincial governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to address the sanitation crisis.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
