Festival Committee Eyes Projects

The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North committee aims to generate more than $280,000 to facilitate its sustainable agriculture project and similar initiatives. Committee president Zaheen Ibrahim revealed this during the festival opening in Labasa on Saturday.

Ms Ibrahim said other projects were earmarked with the project of developing a sustainable greenhouse garden area at the Labasa Divisional Hospital.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Sustainable Agriculture and a Green Economy for the Northern Division.’ The festival is from August 31 to September 7.

She said the purpose behind this project is to create self-sufficiency for the hospital to cater for its food needs.

This would save the cost of buying vegetables from outside suppliers and ensure fresh vegetables supply for patients.

Chief guest at the festival opening and head of recharge sales and distribution at Vodafone Fiji, Nilesh Singh, praised the committee for organising projects aimed at assisting people. He said the festival presented contestants the platform to represent their communities, home, vanua and people’s perceptions.

“To contestants, maximise this opportunity to your fullest potential,” he reiterated.

Twelve queen contestants and three king participants will grace the week-long event. Ms Ibrahim encouraged northerners to support the festival positively, as proceeds from stall fees would be crucial for stall owners’ income generation activities. Another project includes the constructing of washroom facilities at Subrail Park Ground Two to enhance the venue’s capability to host more events. The cost is about $18,000.

Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj