Goundar Shipping Limited managing director George Goundar has confirmed that they would be sailing from Ellington Jetty in Rakiraki to Nabouwalu as from next month.

He made this comment when addressing his staff during their eighth anniversary celebration on September 20 at Port of Mua-i-Walu in Walu Bay, Suva.

Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has confirmed that Goundar Shipping Limited can use the Ellington jetty in Rakiraki.

FRA yesterday confirmed that Ra Provincial Administrator (PA) was working with Police to verify who was responsible in locking up the Ellington Jetty ramp last week.

“This is for public use and should be not be locked,” an FRA spokesperson said.

Mr Goundar assured his staff that no one was stopping them from making travelling easier for those in the Western division intending to go to Nabouwalu.

“We as a team have worked hard together and will never stop. Our vessel will be operating from Ellington by the end of the month,” Mr Goundar said.

“That wharf belongs to the public and no one will stop Goundar Shipping from expanding.

“No one will stop you (seafarers) from operating in Fiji. The corner stone and the backbone of Fiji are you the seafarers. You have worked hard day in and day out.

“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Bonus

During the anniversary celebration Mr Goundar also announced staff bonus.

“Your bonus this year is $300. We are a bit tight this year;  but we will do better next year,” Mr Goundar said.

“You have worked hard and this is your achievement.

“This is what I have been doing the past three years.

“This is one way of thanking you because without you Goundar Shipping Limited is nothing.

“This is one way we thank you for your dedication.

“Last year the bonus was $500. Our budget is tight after losing half a million to Maritime Safety Authority pf Fiji (MSAF) on Lomaiviti Princess 10. That affected our cash flow.

“Whenever we have our anniversary, we give bonus. We have two bonus every year. The second one is the December bonus which is double your wages.”
Work Hard

GSL Lomaiviti Princess 5 captain Ieli Nafaga reiterated the need to work hard.

He reminded staff of the dedication from GSL and that as employees need to play their part.

“Everything is provided for you (seafarers). I always reminded my children that in life opportunity is there but you need to work hard to achieve,” Mr Nafaga said.

“If you (seafarers) need to achieve something; this is the vessel that will help you.

“I want to thank Goundar Shipping Limited for providing us the opportunity.

“Opportunities have been given to you when you come out of the maritime school so you need to be faithful to the company and to yourself.

“I hope that you will take this opportunity and do something because the future of this industry depends on you.”

Mr Nafaga reminded the seafarers the importance of family.

“Please work hard so that you can look after your family,” he said.

“It is you who I should thank on behalf of the company.

“We are here to make sure that the vessel run from A to B and back.

“Let’s be faithful to the company because they have been faithful to us.”

More than 100 seafarers were part of the celebration.

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