Villagers attending the Government Services Expo at the Vatumali Government Station in Keiyasi, Navosa, have been told that the Government was going above and beyond the call of duty for the sake of Fijians.

This was highlighted by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama after officially opening the expo yesterday.

Mr Bainimarama said Government’s duty was to reach those living in the deep rural pockets of the country and isolated, maritime communities.

“No one group is favoured above another. If you need help, my Government is there for you and there is no fuss about it,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“We needed to make a special effort to ensure that rural communities were seeing all the same benefits of our record-setting economy.

“We’ve done more, far more to raise what we call ‘social wages’ in Fiji for the benefit of all Fijians, especially those in rural and maritime areas.

“The Opposition likes to call these social wages ‘handouts’, but that’s not the case.”

He told the hundreds of villagers who turned up to the opening that various services were brought closer to them for two full days.

Mr Bainimarama said some of the services that were available, were often taken for granted in the major urban areas, which those residing in the rural areas deserved to have as well.

“At this Expo you can find banking services, scholarship opportunities and offerings from our tertiary institutions,” he said.

“There are chances for you to invest in exciting new things, along with opportunities in renewable energy and telecommunications.

“This is what the historic strength of the Fijian economy has created, a chance for each of you to seize new opportunities that bring you, your families and your communities’ new success.”

Mr Bainimarama assured the villagers that Government would be with them every step of the way.

The Expo will end today.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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