Villagers of Nabukelevu-i-ra and Lomaji in Kadavu cannot thank the Government enough for answering their long-time cries.

The Government through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, have started work on constructing a road at the foot of Ului Nabukelevu (Mount Washington) to provide safe and faster access to the villagers.

Located at the south-western end of Kadavu in the district of Nabukelevu, these villages have no road to connect the two, they are only accessible by boat.

The rest of the nine villages within the district depend on them for short-time transportation to government stations in Vunisea, or even to any other village.

Joji Ratulevu is a member of the clan that had spared a piece of land for the development of the new road.

“The road that we will use comes as a great relief in carrying out our daily chores,” he said.

“With this, travelling by boat may become a thing of the past since this road will provide a shortcut to places we intend to visit.”

“Our long-time cries have been heard and we can’t thank the Government enough for thinking about us.”

This development project increases accessibility on an easier and safer road for our use.”

While the road will connect the villages and make transportation much easier, it will also grant relief to those who still use the tracks to go to their farms.

Villagers of Daviqele, Kadavu during a talanoa session with Government representatives. Photo: Josefa Babitu

“We are happy to see this unfold because it takes off the burden that we endure daily as farmers which is carrying heavy products like yaqona from our farms to the village; we will use vehicles to do so.”

Mr Ratulevu added that seeing the relief the road had brought them, landowners in the village had agreed for the Government to further develop land areas for future roadways for the purpose of increasing accessibility for their people.

The roadway is being funded under the Ministry’s Community Access Road, Footpath and Footbridges (CARFF) Programme which aims to provide safe and proper access to people in the area.
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