PM brings smiles to 500 residents
Residents of Korotari, outside Labasa, will no longer have to worry about flood waters when crossing the Korotari River.
This comes after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama opened the community’s new suspension bridge yesterday. Now residents and students can cross the river regardless of the weather.
The visit to Korotari yesterday is the PM’s first. He ends his three-day tour today opening other projects. He returns to Suva tomorrow.
For 50 years Sakeo Tubui sat in his home in Korotari, Labasa, and watched his children with anxiety grow up crossing the river by foot.
That practice ended yesterday as he joined hundreds of fellow residents celebrate the opening of the new $557, 628 Korotari Suspension Bridge.
Mr Tubui, 75, heaped praises on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his FijiFirst Government. Mr Bainimarama officially opened the bridge.
He is the first Prime Minister to visit Korotari.
Mr Tubui said they had requested previous governments during district and provincial meetings to have a bridge constructed. But their requests seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, he added.
He said Mr Bainimarama had come along and helped turn their dream into reality. “Now the younger generation of today no longer have to miss classes nor get wet when crossing the river,” he said.
Mr Tubui said this was a memorable day for them when the PM met them, spoke to them in person and shook their hands. Some of those who attended were emotional even though they could not shake his hands because he was moving to his next engagement at the Saqani Road Show. But they were unanimous in their praise and recognition of Mr Bainimarama’s commitment to help the people through infrastructure development.
Jai Kumar, 60, said he would now be able to get his fresh produce across to the Labasa Market on time. Mr Kumar said he and his wife were grateful to the Government. Previously they faced challenges about safety of their children when they crossed the river.
Nirmala Wati, 55, was filled with emotion and said Government had heard the plight of her children and other children of Korotari.
She said getting their children educated was very important for many farmers in Labasa and now with the Suspension Bridge children would not miss classes. When the Korotari River was flooded residents were stranded. Children could not go to school and farmers could not take their produce to the market.
The bridge will provide better accessibility for students attending Waiqele Secondary and Primary, Vunimoli Arya Primary and College and Korotari Primary. Selina Diane, 13, acknowledged the Fijian Government, Peter and Margaret Long and the Rotary Club of United Kingdom and Suva as well as the Australian High Commission.
The Korotari Arya Primary student is one of the many students who live across the river. She said she was happy that now they no longer had to miss class or get wet when crossing the river.
Mr Bainimarama said the project was of vital importance to the Northern Division and the nation as a whole.
He said the project was also an important symbol of the Fijian Government’s continued commitment to the welfare of the Northern people and cornerstone of Government’s Look North Policy.
A43-year-old widow of Nabua Village in Koroalau, Cakaudrove, broke down in tears after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commissioned their new solar lights.
Ana Damasi, a mother of nine, said: “This is a Government that has always considered us all especially for the disadvantaged ones in rural communities like this. “This is a new dawn for them that is bound to attract positive changes and advancement in our village.”
Prior to the installation of the solar lights Ms Damasi said they would depend on kerosene lanterns, candles and even Toshiba lights to use at night.
“Now, we do not have to worry about buying batteries, candles or kerosene. My heart is full. My needs have been met first by the social welfare earnings and now this solar lights,” she said. Sixty-seven Nabua Primary School students will also benefit from the project.
Head Teacher Bal Sanju Reddy said: “This school caters for all the students within the district of Koroalau and this incentive would assist them greatly in their studies.
“This will also allow opportunities such as computers and internet for the students and teachers who would have to travel to Savusavu and Labasa to type, print and do photocopy.”
Mr Bainimarama, who is on a three-day tour in the Northern Division, said the solar electricity was part of Government’s vision for all Fijians so that individuals could also enjoy services being offered in urban areas.
Nabua Village has a population of more than 200 people.
Today, the PM will commission the solar home system at Napuka Secondary School, Karoko Village and Vunisavisavi Village.
He will then end his tour with the handing over of a fibreglass boat and engine at Nakobo Village. Mr Bainimarama returns to Suva tomorrow.