A new Government shipping vessel is expected to arrive in the country.

This was revealed by Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Joeli Cawaki in Parliament on Monday.

He said the acquisition of the new vessels to the Government Shipping Services  is to enhance accessibility to all our maritime ports and destinations.

Mr Cawaki said the new Government vessel would accommodate Government officials travelling to the maritime areas.

He said it was part of the 2016-2017 National Budget.

“The arrival of another Government Shipping vessel in this new Parliamentary session will facilitate an increased maritime accessibility to all our maritime destinations,” Mr Cawaki said.

“Also to increase the list of approved maritime destination for the Fiji Shipping Franchise programme to include destination not serviced by private shipping operators.”

He said this would ensure exclusive shipping coverage and facilitate trading, people, Government and market accessibility of these destinations.

He said it was all part of Government’s larger strategy to put Fijians in our rural and maritime areas on equal footing so that they may step into Fiji’s future together.

Mr Cawaki said investment in communication infrastructure was to bring all Fijians into our national conversation.

He said the installation of new communication towers was to ensure full coverage of the three telecommunication network providers in the country, to ensure wider connectivity and access especially to people in the remote and isolated areas.

Mr Cawaki said the upgrading of the old and current water supply systems and the building of new ones, the demand for access to clean and safe drinking water had increased.

He said the provision of upgraded roads, bridges, jetties and ports would ensure accessibility.

Mr Cawaki said Government would continue its road upgrading programme in rural areas around the country.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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