Villagers of Qoma, Tailevu, need not wade through waters or catch a boat ride to commute after their new crossing was opened officially yesterday.

The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services  Inia Seruiratu praised the youths, who helped build the crossing.

“We cannot just sit and wait for Government to do all the work for us,” Mr Seruiratu said.

He said in all developments carried out by Government in rural areas, this partnership was needed as it saved money and time.

“With the partnership with the village youths, the new crossing was completed within two months.”

The crossing which connects Qoma Village with Qoma Levu  cost $49,000 excluding the labour cost.

Mother of five, Rigieta Marama from Qoma Levu said before the crossing was available, students waded their way through waters to Qoma Village or caught a boat to go to school.

Sixty four year-old Ana Kaibati of Qoma village said: “Now those at Qoma Levu can come at any time to Qoma Village to attend church or other social gatherings.”

The Qoma crossing according to the village headman Sailasa Naisele is one of their projects and the other one now is their Community Hall that can be used during during a cyclone.

Meanwhile, Mr Seruiratu urged villagers to build their hall and homes to withstand a Category 5 tropical cyclone.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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