The residents of the Golden Age Home at Natabua, Lautoka received a brand new 35-seater, wheelchair accessible bus, from the Government of Japan on Wednesday.

The spacious $279,000 bus was handed over by the counsellor and deputy chief of mission from the Embassy of Japan, Tanaka Kenichiro, to the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar, at the Western Disability Centre.

The handover was also in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

In his address, Mr Kenichiro said the bus handover was part of the project implemented under the Government of Japan’s Grassroots Grant Assistance Scheme.

He said in its request for assistance, the Golden Age Home highlighted that it had been facing difficulties in transporting the residents for their medical treatments, recreational activities and support services.

“This project is an added milestone in Japan’s partnership with the ministry and in addition further strengthens  the friendship between the Governments and peoples of Japan and Fiji.”

Ms Akbar acknowledged the Japanese Government and partners for their assistance.
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