Loa villagers of Caka­udrove Province in Vanua Levu have heaped praises on Govern­ment’s quick response.

This is after their plea during the Financial Year 2022-2023 National Budget Consultation became a real­ity two days after their dis­cussions.

Loa Village which is 40 kil­ometres away from Savusa­vu Town and a three-hour drive from Labasa is mainly remote and isolated when it comes to development.

A prominent local busi­ness man Meleti Raimu­ria, in the area, is pleased that the Government was prompt with its response to their concerns.

Road machine parks, before they start another day of road works.

“We had the consultation on July 1, that was on a Fri­day, the following Monday, we had seen road workers coming in to start the work.

The businessman, who is mainly known for export­ing grog, timber logging business is an iTaukei suc­cess story.

“It took him only two days to deliver our needs, which would probably take years, with the comple­tion of this road, it will help four villages namely, Kanakana,Tukavesi, Loa and Buca Village,” Mr Raimuria said.

Prior to the Labasa Budget Consultation, the 84-year-old veteran met Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khai­yum in Labasa, and made a personal request to the min­ister asking for a consulta­tion in his village.

“I pleaded for him to come to my village so he could listen to our concerns, I was pleased to learn that he came” Mr Raimuria said.

“Most of us haven’t met Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, this was the first time we had consultation of this kind happening out of Savusavu Town.”

Concerns

Under the 2022-2023 Na­tional Budget, the Govern­ment allotted $15 million to the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.

Allowing the ministry to execute rural development and improve standard of living.

The villagers raised issues like road and water woes and need for a seawall.

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