Carpenters from Ministry of Housing arrived in Vanua Levu on Wednesday and spent Christmas assisting people impacted by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar returned from the North on Thursday evening.

“They are assisting 14 areas where the ministry has acquired development leases,” Ms Kumar.

“The focus is helping single mothers and people living with disability. We are also working on houses which are partially destroyed.”

Ms Kumar said she also toured municipal councils to see the extent of damages done to council properties adding that the major damage was at Nabouwalu Market.

“Construction will start next week (this week). This will be undertaken by the Savusavu Town Council.

“In the meantime, we have placed tents for the vendors and passengers getting off ferries,” Ms Kumar said.

She also visited Kia Island which faced the full brunt of the category five cyclone and also Coqea.

In Taveuni, the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate thanked the islanders for forging on.

He led a delegation on Christmas Eve assessing the damage sustained to infrastructure on the island.

“On behalf of the Government and the Prime Minister, I wish to thank you all for hanging in there and providing necessary assistance to those affected on the island,” he said.

“I know it’s not easy particularly during this festive season and I thank you all for the sacrifice and commitment to the course of serving the people.”

Mr Usamate paid a special tribute to all Fijians who were working during the Christmas break to help with TC Yasa rehabilitation.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa.

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