Mikaele Batiuluna and Noa Ravunibaka, both long-time fishermen, have fulfilled their dream of starting their own fishing business with the help of the Northern Development Programme (NDP).

The programme has generously provided each of them with a fiber boat and engine, which they received during a handover ceremony at Asco Motors in Labasa yesterday.

Mr Batiuluna, 40, hails from Wainigadru Village, Cakaudrove, and fishing has been his primary source of income for many years.

He used to borrow boats from others or accompany other fishermen on their fishing trips, which limited his ability to capitalise on the high demand for fish in the area.

He said the assistance from NDP was an opportunity for him to improve his standard of living.

Mr Ravunibaka, 45, from Yalava, Macuata, shared Mr Batiuluna’s joy and expressed his appreciation for the timely assistance, especially with Mother’s Day approaching.

He said the high cost of living had made it difficult for him to purchase his own boat and engine.

With this generous support from the NDP, he can now take his boat anywhere and anytime to fish to his heart’s content.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-Operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica officiated the handover and thanked the duo for their contributions to the northern economy.

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