Dear Editor, if Government prioritised spending, then every household in the Cook Islands would have access to running water, roads wouldn’t be an obstacle course and our schools would be better resourced, to name just a few things.

In Aitutaki for example, the controversial makeover of the Arutanga Wharf is seeing extensive dredging and a highly modified shore profile.

Apart from the potentially devastating environmental and social impact this could have, the question must be asked, “How is it that a multi-million-dollar project is afforded priority when the most fundamental needs of our people haven’t been met?”

In Nikaupara for instance, one of several affected villages, water runs faithfully once a week and on a lucky week it may run for two days. Imagine if you are a Mum with a baby and children to wash, cook and clean for. Imagine if you are over 80 years of age and must bucket your own water for ablutions. This third world situation exists in real time here and I’m sure it’s the same for many villages elsewhere in the Cook Islands.

“Let no one be left behind,’ said Papa Albert Henry, one of our nation’s founding fathers, reflecting values that embody unity and compassion; yet here we are today, with members of our government positioning themselves, surging ahead and leaving many of our vulnerable with unfulfilled promises and no water in the pipes – akatau oki koe.

Atina,

Arenikau,

Aitutaki                 

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In response – Thank you for giving the Cook Islands Investment Corporation and Infrastructure Cook Islands the opportunity to reply.

Last year, the nation’s National Infrastructure Investment Plan (NIIP) was refreshed. The NIIP outlines the Cook Islands’ priorities and plans for major infrastructure over the next 10 years. The NIIP is an important tool to realise the Cook Islands Government’s National Vision and the National Sustainability Development Agenda.

Water Supply is a key priority and area of focus in terms of infrastructure across the Cook Islands. Candidate water infrastructure projects totals about $66 million across the nation and totals $11m for Aitutaki. Following any consultation by Government with the Aitutaki Island government and community, water supply and security is consistently signaled as a major priority, and this is reflected in the nation’s NIIP. As a consequence, it is anticipated more resources will be dedicated to investing in water supply and security into the future.

Funding and plans are already in place to install 320 households with water tanks in Aitutaki before the end of this year. These are the households that could not be supplied with such water tanks in an earlier programme. ICI will be working with the Island government in carrying out this project.

ICI in conjunction with the Island Government will also continue to look for ways in which pragmatic measures can be implemented to make access to water easier for each household.

The Arutanga Harbour Project has been consulted on extensively with the Aitutaki public and is well supported. The project will see the entrance to the lagoon widened and deepened. Big ships will still have to unload and load outside the reef but working the passage will be much safer.

Smaller island cargo boats will be able to come into the harbour and tie up in future. Once completed, the project will vastly improve the safety and usability of Aitutaki’s harbour and port, allowing for a continuous flow of cargo to the island, to service the entire population of Aitutaki.

Allan Jensen – Chief Executive, CIIC

Tamarii Tutangata – Secretary, ICI