The people of the vanua of Nalawa finally had their prayers answered for prop­er bridges in areas like Nasavusa­vu, Burelevu and Nausori.

Tui Nalawa Ratu Epeli Niudamu spearheaded the tikina meeting at Mataiwalevu Hall in Ra on Friday.

Ratu Epeli said their worries would soon be over after Govern­ment donated $2 million in grant to help build three bridges in the said areas.

Ratu Epeli, on behalf of the va­nua of Nalawa in Ra, thanked the Government for their sup­port in ensuring that the students and workers had access to better bridges.

“We are grateful to the govern­ment for their help and this ben­efits the students and workers in the villages,” he said.

“This has been a constant prob­lem over the years, and now our prayers have been answered.”

Ratu Epeli said other issues dis­cussed were the hierarchical sys­tem of the vanua and the need to preserve the vanua of Nalawa and their culture.

“We also discussing issues per­taining to the people of Nalawa, the various leaders of the va­nua like the Turaga ni Yavusa, Mataqali the role that they play in the vanua,” he said.

“There is a need to preserve our culture and the various norms that the vanua should always up­hold.”

Nawairuku representative, Wai­sea Nagonelevu, said they were planning to organise a group to visit the Prime Minister when they heard of the news.

“It was pleasing to hear of the good news that we are now able to have new bridges. We were ready to organise a group to go and meet with the Prime Minister but then we heard the news and we are for­ever grateful,” he said.

The vanua of Nalawa is made up of 18 villages.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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