The waiting time for reconnecting electricity affected by fallen trees post cyclone will now be reduced. This follows training of staff from Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) in Vanua Levu who have completed the Harvesting Trees Manually Basic Course with the Ministry of Forestry.

Twenty one staff members from Labasa and Savusavu EFL office participated in the two weeks training conducted by the MOF’s technical expert Isimeli Seru. Ministry of Forestry assistant director forestry officer north Uraia Racule thanked EFL for taking this proactive approach to equip staff with knowledgeand skills before the cyclone season.

“Moreover, I have been told that the contractors of EFL would go out to clear the vegetation surrounding the EFL or big trees disturbing the ELF grind which took some time,” Mr Racule said.

“You have all the resources and are now fully equipped to send staff out and act fast to provide the service that the people need.”

He advised them to continue practicing the use of chainsaws so that they can get used to it. Meanwhile, he praised Mr Seru who is the only one in Fiji providing the training on the use of chainsaw and thanked the ministry’s director training Taniela

Whippy for approving this training for EFL. Mr Seru conducted a test and confirmed that the participants are now fully equipped and ready to go out and provide improved service delivery. EFL district superintendent north Jitendra Goundar thanked the officials of the Ministry of Forestry for their timely assistance.

Story By: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj