Government to Leave No One Behind: Minister
Rural Fiji has a lot to contribute towards the country’s economic growth and these potentials need to be realised, especially in Vanua Levu. This was reiterated by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu on the conclusion of the three-day tour of the Northern Division by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Mr Seruiratu was among the group of Cabinet Ministers who accompanied the Prime Minister on his tour of the division to visit development projects undertaken by the Government and meet with Fijians in the North.
Mr Seruiratu said there were huge potentials and opportunities in Vanua Levu that needed to be tapped into to improve the livelihoods of those in the rural areas and also contribute to the development and growth of not only Vanua Levu, but the country as a whole.
“We have always stated from the beginning that rural Fiji has a lot to contribute to our growth and particularly in terms of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and of course those potentials need to be realised,” he said.
“Vanua Levu is a more agrobased economy because we have a lot of activities in agriculture, particularly sugar, rice and copra and of course livestock as well. There are a lot of activities in the forestry sector and the fisheries sector as well. We are particularly impressed with the improvements done in the sugar and non-sugar sector as well.
Mr Seruiratu also reiterated that these were exciting times to be living in the rural areas because despite the economic downturn and challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, rural Fiji still had an abundance of resources.
“We are encouraging our people, particularly now with the issues faced because of COVID-19, this is a good time to be in rural Fiji. Of course, we need to maximise the potentials that we have particularly with the primary industries in the form of agriculture, fisheries and forestry and Vanua Levu has a lot to contribute.”
Mr Seruiratu also said the intentions of the Government had been very clear from the very beginning that development programmes were all inclusive.
“We want to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
“This was a great opportunity for the Honourable Prime Minister and the members of Cabinet to touch base and be updated with the current developments that are happening particularly in rural Fiji. For Vanua Levu particularly, the Government has been committed to the ‘Look North Policy’. Since then that saw the establishment of the Northern Development Programme and a lot of Government projects and initiatives Vanua Levu is enjoying right now.”
“Vanua Levu has a lot of potentials as well that can help in the growth and development of the country. It is a major contributor to our GDP as well and there are development programmes that the people of Vanua Levu need to have access to so that they can enjoy the services of the Government...”