PM promises Waibasaga villagers boat, engine

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has promised the people of Waibasaga Village, in Muaira, Naitasiri a fibreglass boat and engine as an interim measure to assist them cross the Wainimala River.

Mr Rabuka and his team paid a surprise visit to the loading area on the bank of the river last Friday; Waibasaga Village is located on the other side of the river.

The visit followed a viral social media post and a report by this publication, highlighting how villagers had to wade or swim across the river to access essential services.

In a post made on his official page on Facebook, Mr Rabuka said the boat and engine would be handed to the village after he returned from his trip to Jakarta Indonesia.

“I know people have been writing on Facebook about this problem and so I thought to come down and look at this for myself; I spoke to the Reverend and the district officer and parents here,” Mr Rabuka said.

“When I come back from Jakarta, I will ask them to come down and pick their boat.

“We may sit comfortably in our offices, but we don’t realise how problems outside are until we go down there and see what is happening.”

A villager interviewed by the team said they were shocked to see the Prime Minister, but grateful that their years of pleading for a bridge were finally being heard.

Now it’s up to the government on its delivery of that promise.

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