Warning on water

October 18, 2012 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
Authority to prosecute thieves
By MAIKA BOLATIKI

The chief executive of the Water Authority of Fiji, Opetaia Ravai, yesterday sent out a strong warning to those involved in water theft.

According to Mr Ravai these people get water free by illegally or directly connecting to the Water Authority of Fiji’s water reticulation system.

“This is daylight robbery on their part and now that the amnesty period is over we’re going to strengthen our monitoring and once they’re found they’re going to be taken to court,” Mr Ravai said.

“Illegal or direct connection to the Water Authority of Fiji’s water or sewerage reticulation system is a crime under the Water Authority of Fiji Promulgation 2007 and such offence carries severe penalties.”

He said the authority does not condone corrupt activities such as this and those involved must prepare to face the consequences.

He warned consumers who fail to regularise their status that they would face a minimum fine of $1000 and up to a $1,000,000 together with other penalties.

Mr Ravai said the WAF had given an amnesty period to its customers illegally connected to its reticulation system.

“The amnesty period started on May 14 and has ended on August 14, 2012.”

At the end of its amnesty period, the WAF has so far recorded a total of 1020 customers who have come forward to regularise their water and sewerage connections. As a result, the Authority collected $379,566 in revenue.

Mr Ravai said while the WFA was appreciative of the efforts made by these customers to regularise their connection, a team was currently carrying out verification exercise on its water and sewerage reticulation system to detect those who continue to be illegally connected to its reticulation system.

He confirmed that WAF’s legal team would now be taking necessary steps to prosecute customers who continue to illegally connect to its water and sewerage reticulation system.