Gau freight operator expands services with new truck

A small island freight operation is step­ping up, bringing vital goods and services to remote communities and strengthening the local economy.

The expansion comes with the addition of a nine-tonne truck, allowing the business to ser­vice key maritime routes more efficiently and support families, farmers, and small enterpris­es across the islands.

The growth reflects a combination of vision, hard work, and commitment to community development.

The venture is run by Akariva Vura, a schoolteacher and sole-trader from Nacavanadi Village in Gau.

His company, Vuaniqele Investment Pte Lim­ited, recently secured a $90,000 loan under the Taukei Development Fund Facility, approved and handed over by Minister for iTaukei Af­fairs Ifereimi Vasu.

The loan, which carries a 2.5 per cent interest rate and requires no deposit, has enabled the business to expand its fleet and operations.

Mr Vura's freight service covers the Gau­Suva-Gau route, ensuring the steady move­ment of goods, supplies, and essential services across the Lomaiviti group.

Operating from Qarani, Gau, he has become a trusted connector for local communities, fa­cilitating trade and supporting livelihoods.

Beyond freight, the business has diversified into fuel distribution, bakery operations, and copra trading.

His bakery supplies fresh bread daily to vil­lages in Gau and neighbouring islands, while fuel deliveries sustain households, small-scale enterprises, and maritime transport.

Through these efforts, Mr Vura is not only growing his business but also strengthening Gau's economy and the wider Lomaiviti re­gion, providing opportunities and essential services that benefit the entire community.