Government’s Timely Visit Praised
Youths and villagers of Yaqaga Island in Bua have praised Government for a timely visit through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
On Tuesday, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou, was on the island to talk about the opportunities available through the ministry’s programmes.
Village headman Nacanieli Mataika said: “Government representatives coming down and visiting us gives us a feeling of self-importance and self-worth.
“It indicates to us that we are important and what we say matter.”
During a talanoa session, Mr Mataika took the opportunity to share with the minister some of their needs and constraints.
He said they also had some outreach programmes planned, but carrying them out would be costly.
He also said they now had plans to register with the ministry so that they could benefit from the programmes available.
Addressing the villagers and youths, Mr Tuitubou said: “So we are here because we want to sit down with you, listen to your ideas and grievances and see how the ministry can assist your group.
“We have programmes that you can access and utilise, but this is only possible if you are registered with the ministry.”
At the meeting the minister reiterated that Government’s principle of inclusiveness was to ensure the problems of the past, particularly the division of our people based on race, were not repeated to taint the future.
Mr Tuitubou applauded the club for the projects they carried out on the island.
The minister ended his seven-day tour of the maritime communities in the Northern Division on Tuesday.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
Feedback: nacanieli.tuilevuka@fijisun.com.fj
