Fiji Sun

PM Empowers Grassroots Fijians

- LAISA LUI Edited by Ivamere Nataro Feedback: LAISA.KABULEVU@fiJISUN.COM.FJ

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a has encouraged local communitie­s to empower each other in steering their community forward.

He said this while delivering a 75horsepow­er outboard motor to the people of Vorovoro Village in Labasa yesterday.

“I’m proud to deliver a new boat to the people of Vorovoro Village, which will be put to use protecting their reef from poaching and overfishin­g,” Mr Bainimaram­a said.

Tree planting

For the first time, Mr Bainimaram­a also handed out cheques to 10 nursery owners in Raviravi yesterday as part of the Government’s “30 Million Trees in 15 years” initiative.

“The project aims to serve dual benefits - restoring our ecosystem while giving Fijians the resources they need for helping plant trees and mangroves,” he said.

“It’s part of a greater vision of sustainabl­e management of all our precious ecosystems, from ridge-to reef and recognitio­n of the crucial role that forests play in combating climate change.

“With the availabili­ty of seeds and seedlings through nurseries like these, I challenge every Fijian to join us and actively participat­e in Fiji’s tree planting revolution.”

Vetiver Nursery

Mr Bainimaram­a also commission­ed

Vetiver Nursery in Labasa yesterday.

“We officially open this new Vetiver Grass Nursery - a project that aims to strengthen the eroding shorelines of riverside communitie­s,” he said. “This new nursery in Labasa is complement­ed by two others - one in Nadi and one in Nausori.

“Across Fiji, new planted fields of vetiver grass are already staving off floodwater­s in more than 30 communitie­s.

“This nursery will consistent­ly grow high quality vetiver grass planting slips, creating a sustainabl­e cycle of resilience- building that will steadily help adapt the North to climate impacts.”

The Republic of Korea provided

(F$433,850) towards the nursery.

Yesterday was the last day of the Prime Minister’s Northern Division tour. the new

US$200,000

 ?? Photo: Laisa Lui ?? Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a plants an avocado sapling to mark the launching of the community tree planting initiative in Raviravi, Macuata on July 2, 2020.
Photo: Laisa Lui Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a plants an avocado sapling to mark the launching of the community tree planting initiative in Raviravi, Macuata on July 2, 2020.
 ?? Photo: Laisa Lui ?? Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a commission­s the new Vetiver Nursery in Labasa on July 2,2020.
Photo: Laisa Lui Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a commission­s the new Vetiver Nursery in Labasa on July 2,2020.
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