BIG WELCOME FOR PM IN SAWAIEKE, GAU
The village of Sawaieke in Gau welcomed the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Wednesday.
Village elders and the Lomaiviti Provincial Council representatives first accorded him the ‘iVakasobu’ (presentation of whale’s tooth upon the arrival of chief guest) while on the naval board the RFNS Kacau followed by the ‘rova’ (greeting guests at the shores) which was performed by the village youths. The Prime Minister then went on to commission the new village hall/ evacuation centre after the ceremony concluded.
Mr Bainimarama acknowledged the youths of Sawaieke for taking the lead role in raising the funds and constructing the youth hall. Over $120,000 was raised by the youth and Government contributed $50,000 for the hall. Mr Bainimarama was accompanied by his wife Mary Bainimarama, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster
Management and Meteorological Services Jone Usamate and the Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau.
Other Activities:
Mr Bainimarama also opened projects at two different sites in Gau. The Nawaikama and Narocake nursing stations now source its electricity through a solar system, which will assist the nurses to provide better services to the patients. A total of $72,163.20 was provided for the projects under the 2017/2018 Small Grants Scheme.
In the course of visiting the nursing stations, Mr Bainimarama stopped along the way to pay quick visits to schools.
He also toured the sports complex on the island which is expected to be completed by 2021. Mr Bainimarama also visited the Nawaikama foot-bridge which was still under construction. The estimated cost of the foot bridge is $175.956.21.