Rural Communities Shift To Economic-Empowered Projects
The programme was a model practised in South Korea to overcome endemic rural poverty.
Friday 08 April 2022 | 14:50
Development works in rural and maritime communities are shifting from having social projects to economic empowerment projects.
This was highlighted by the Minister of Rural and Maritime Development, Inia Seruiratu while responding to a question by Viliame Gavoka in Parliament on Wednesday.
Mr Seruiratu was asked to tell Parliament what was happening with the Saemaul Undong programme from the Government of South Korea, which was to benefit rural and maritime communities.
Related stories
“The Government of Korea has invested more than $286,000 in three villages. The three villages are Silana, Naimasimasi and Mau in Namosi,” he said.
“We will still revisit Macuata, particularly the Dreketi community in Nabavatu and of course, we will revisit Rewa.”
The programme was a model practised in South Korea to overcome endemic rural poverty.
It was regarded as one of the most successful long-term economic development models that was behind the Republic of Korea’s growth in the 1970s.
The model was based on three components - diligence, self-help and co-operation.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two Governments in 2018 following the successful training of three individuals in South Korea.
“In Silana, they were allocated about $95,468 and that includes the construction of footpaths and even driveway into the community, the community hall upgrade which included their kitchen, village office and dispensary,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“In Mau Village with an allocation of $95,468. The water improvement dam extension, laying of water pipes to elevated areas to maintain water pressure, fixing of water tanks and connecting water pipes to affected households.
“At Naimasimasi Village they have completed five toilets and septic tanks and 25 are in the process of being constructed, the garbage collection improvement site and one small footbridge and crossing just next to the community hall.”
Mr Seruiratu added that the Government was looking at the possibility of extending the programme across the country.
