Bulitavu: Rural, maritime communities must be central to development

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development, saying rural and maritime communities must remain at the centre of national planning.

Mr Bulitavu made the remarks while officially opening the Northern Division National Rural Development Policy (NRDP) Multistakeholder Consultation, his first official engagement since assuming office.

He said rural and outer island communities were central to Fiji’s identity, economy and resilience, as they house much of the country’s natural resources, food systems and cultural heritage.

Mr Bulitavu said supporting and empowering these communities was both a policy priority and a national responsibility.

He said the consultation formed part of a nationwide effort to co-create Fiji’s first National Rural Development Policy, which will guide how the Government plans, coordinates and delivers development in rural and maritime areas.

Mr Bulitavu said the policy was intended to be a practical framework to address long-standing challenges and ensure communities were not disadvantaged by geography or remoteness.

He said a review of the Integrated Rural Development Framework of 2009 highlighted persistent issues, including poor infrastructure, unreliable water supply, limited transport services, digital gaps and weak coordination between agencies, particularly in the Northern Division.

Mr Bulitavu said the focus must shift from acknowledging these challenges to improving how Government agencies work together to address them.

He stressed that the NRDP was being developed through nationwide consultations, rather than drafted centrally.

Mr Bulitavu encouraged participants from Macuata, Bua and Cakaudrove to share their experiences and concerns, saying their input would help shape a policy to guide rural and maritime development for future generations.