Cultivate Land, Grow More, Rabuka Advises Villagers

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has advised Vuni­dogoloa villagers in Caka­udrove Province to make use of their land by planting vegetables and root crops.

During his consultation with the villagers from 33 houses last Sat­urday, he said VAT won’t be on the things that they plant.

“We as Fijians are always con­nected to the land no matter where we are and so we should plant as much as we can,” Mr Rabuka said.

“I understand you were relocated and there is a lot you can do.”

He told them to do rice farming and coconut farming.

“Clear all the jungle and plant something,” he said.

“Send your children to school and remember education begins from home.

Teach them to save money and tell them about our country’s his­tory.”

He told them the importance of celebrating Girmit Day and how the sugarcane farming started.

Background

In January 2014, Vunidogoloa be­came the first village in Fiji to re­locate due to the effects of climate change.

Such as coastal flooding, salt-water intrusion and shoreline ero­sion.

It was the Government that helped them to rebuild houses in a safer location.

Mr Rabuka told them he was not a stranger to them and was mak­ing himself available to listen to them.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

Vunidogoloa Village headman Sailosi Ramatu said they were thankful to the Government for the assistance given to them so far.

“We want to build more houses using resources from our own for­est, but can’t as we have to spend a lot of money to get the Environ­ment Impact Assessment done,” Mr Ramatu said.

“We want people to remain in the village instead of migrating to ur­ban areas.”

Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima assured that they would look into the villagers’ request.

The Acting Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister, Pita Wise told the gathering that they have to work with the Minis­try of Forestry.

“We want landowners to use their resources to build their house on their land,” Mr Wise said.

“We have assisted a few villages, especially during natural disas­ters.”

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Story by: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj