Recent upgrading of roads, jetties, airports, medical facilities and other essential infrastructure has directly helped all citizens improve their living standards

Both sides of the main street of Labasa Town were crowded as people came in numbers to witness the 2017 Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North float procession yesterday.

In his opening speech, Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea said this was a special event for all Northerners to come together in partnership to raise funds to expand, improve facilities and implement projects to benefit the people of the North as a whole.

“With the theme this year ‘Healthy Environment and Healthy People’ the festival committee will add another milestone to their commitment to the people of the North in ensuring that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development creates that critical link between development, the environment, human well being and the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights including the rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation,” Mr Vocea said.

“The theme is well placed and speaks volumes in conveying a distinctive message of unity, togetherness and collaboration.

“Over the years the people of Vanua Levu have witnessed a remarkable development taken by Government.

“A large sector of this development has been stepped up in the past couple of years to see that people of Vanua Levu are accorded the same level of treatment as those of the other parts of the country.

“Recent upgrading of roads, jetties, airports, medical facilities and other essential infrastructure has directly helped all citizens improve their living standards which signifies that Government is committed to serve the nation with due diligence.

“We expect a mass gathering of local community members to participate in the weeklong festivities of fun and recreational activities.

“The raising of funds from this weeklong festival will assist the festival executives and committee in implementing projects beneficial to the people of the North as a substitute to national efforts.”

Monday’s Programme:

Fiji Gas – Pacific Night

 Chief Guest is Fiji Gas rep Ema Spring

Kings first public judging

     Sarong display

Vatudamu Dance Group of Savusavu performance

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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