Consultation teams from the Ministry of Finance’s strategic planning office urged people of Volivoli village ,Nadroga to be more specific when requesting for development.

This was mainly stressed by Ministry of Finance’s strategic planning office chief economic planning officer Luke Koroisave during the consultation in Volivoli village yesterday.

The consultation is the Government’s way of getting the public’s point of view   for Fiji’s five-year and a 20-year development plan.

This is the first of its kind and is critical as the development plan will ensure resources are allocated efficiently, sufficiently and effectively.

“We will need people to specify what they want and how much will it cost,” he said.

“Because no Government will do partial development and any Government’s image depends on how well it develops its country.”

Issues that were raised included the need for a dispensary, playground for youths in the village, a proper place for women vendors to sell produce and a bus shelter.

Mr Koroisave highlighted that the development plans will assist Government in setting out detailed strategies and programmes for the allocation of resources for areas such as schools, hospitals, water, electricity, tourism, roads, and bridges.

He also encouraged participants of the consultations to make use of the various mediums of assistance.

“Try and work with Live and learn, the Partners in Community Development (PCD) to identify key development areas in your village,”he said.

“Also work with the village head man because he is the door to voicing your concerns with Government.”

He added there would also be an opportunity for those who cannot attend the consultations due to work schedules to have their say as well .

“We want to ensure that everyone has a say in Fiji’s development progress because these decisions will affect them,” he said,

Submissions for Fiji’s five-year and a 20-year development plan can be sent to P O Box 2351, Government buildings Suva.

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