Rabi Council Gets New $98k Vehicle
The vehicle will serve multiple purposes, including providing transportation for visitors to the island and for evacuating emergency cases.
Thursday 06 March 2025 | 19:44
Rabi administrator Jacob Karutake and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the handover ceremony at the Government Building in Suva on March 5, 2025.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially handed over a new Toyota Hilux twin cab vehicle to the Rabi Island Council of Leaders (RCL) on Wednesday to boost its operations and community support.
The $98,000 vehicle, funded through the China Grant and administered by the Office of the Prime Minister, replaces a 10-year-old truck that was now in an obsolete state.
“We cannot overstate the importance of having the Banaban community on Rabi,” the Prime Minister said, revealing that government is seriously addressing concerns faced by the people of Rabi such as plans to improve community living.
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Rabi administrator Jacob Karutake, who leads the council, expressed gratitude for the donation, explaining it would enhance efficiency in the Council’s operations while reducing costs.
“Normally we are hiring vehicles and the Council runs independently. Whenever we have visitors coming to the island, we normally hire vehicles, and it’s really costly,” Mr Karutake said.
The new $98k Toyota Hilux Twin Cab. Photos: DEPTFO News
The vehicle will serve multiple purposes, including providing transportation for visitors to the island and for evacuating emergency cases.
The four villages on Rabi are Buakonikai, Tabwewa, Tabiang and Uma.
Mr Karutake assured the Prime Minister that the council would develop a transport policy to ensure proper maintenance of the vehicle.
The new Toyota Hilux Twin Cab was blessed at the Ketetemane Methodist Church in Suva on Sunday before the handover ceremony.
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