...and then there was light
Fiji’s COP23 young star, Timoci Naulusala (third from left), was at Nasautoka Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu, yesterday during the village rural electrification project launch. The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, switched on the latest stage of the Government’s rural electrification drive.
Nasautoka villager, Vilimoni Rokovosa, 67, has thanked the Voreqe Bainimarama-led Government for bringing electricity to his village and four other villages –Nabouva, Naveicovatu, Malabi and Naqia.
He said they had asked previous Governments for the supply of electricity to their villages, but all requests seemed to fall on deaf ears.
“Villagers are now happy that we have a Government that listens to the people and delivers what we want,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the people from Malabi and Naqia villages, Nasala Veicovatu thanked the FijiFirst Government for bringing electricity to their villages. He said they would make good use of the electricity and added that their long wait for benefits of electric power was now over. Osea Kuruduadua, 77, said past Governments merely heard their requests, but did nothing. In thanking the Prime Minister the Nasautoka Women’s Association spokesperson, Lusiana Yameyame also asked if the Prime Minister’s Office could supply them an electric sewing machine. She said the association had used its sewing machine donated from Government to sew school uniforms, dresses and shirts among other things, but the electric machine would speed up their work.
The Prime Minister said Government supplied sewing machines only.
“The cost of an electric sewing machine ranges from $17,000 to $20,000 and you have to buy your own because there is no fund for it,” Mr Bainimarama said.
He told the women’s group that it could apply for a loan at the Fiji Development Bank and it would be easy if the association had a good record with the bank. When the Prime Minister switched on the light, the people of the four villages showed their appreciation with hearty cheers.