Ba Province targets $7m under 10-year development plan

Part of the funds raised through Siga Kei Ba 2026 will be invested in development projects across all 21 tikina in Ba Province under the province's long-term development plan.

Roko Tui Ba Iliesa Delasau made the announcement during the opening of the two-day Siga Kei Ba 2026 celebration at Ground Two of Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.

Mr Delasau said this year's event focused on strengthening district and village participation in the province's development agenda.

Ba Province comprises 21 tikina (district) and 110 villages. Under this year's fundraising model, larger villages will contribute $2,000 while smaller villages will contribute $1,500 towards the annual event.

He said part of the funds raised would be directed towards tikina investment projects under the province's 10-year development plan.

"The Yasana has two sources of income. One is the Government subvention, while the other is non-subvention funding, which supports our development plan and is not funded by the Government," Mr Delasau said.

"We began implementing our 10-year development plan last year using our subvention funding."

The province aims to generate $7.053 million over the next decade to fund initiatives including community capacity building, tikina investment projects, village development plans, office facilities, scholarships and education uplift programmes.

Mr Delasau said funding would come from land lease income through the iTaukei Land Trust Board, proceeds from Siga Kei Ba, Free Bird and dividends from previous investments.

The province has set an annual fundraising target of $50,000.

"Our target is to raise $50,000 annually over the next 10 years. That will allow us to generate $500,000 from this event alone," he said.

"Part of the money raised through Siga Kei Ba goes towards our tikina investment programme."

"The investment made through our company, Ba Holdings, ultimately supports village investment plan projects."

Mr Delasau also highlighted renewed unity among Ba Provincial Holdings Limited, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, the provincial youth organisation and the wider province.

"In the past there was disunity, but today we are united and share a common vision of what we want to achieve," he said.

"Each year we continue to improve ourselves and the services we provide to our people."

"Everything we do must have a positive impact on the communities we serve by improving livelihoods and raising people's standard of living."

Mr Delasau said Siga Kei Ba remained one of the province's most important annual gatherings, providing an opportunity for people to reconnect and strengthen traditional ties.

"I hope all members of Yasana o Ba will come out in numbers to support this event."