Policies encourage Buca villagers to rally support
The progressive policies implemented by the FijiFirst Party have led Buca villagers to switch allegiance.
The village in Cakaudrove Province is home of former opposition politician, Niko Nawaikula.
On Thursday, FijiFirst party leader, Voreqe Bainimarama visited the village with his entourage of election candidates to elaborate more on how they managed the Government and why they want to continue after the 2022 General Election.
Village headman, Esala Nukumasia, said the eyes of their people had opened to the truth and all their Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) voters from previous elections are planning to tick Mr Bainimarama in Government again.
“We supported our very own SODELPA rep, Nawaikula, in the past, but, this mindset changed for the better as we observed the many people-driven beneficial policies turned developments emerge,” the 43-year-old said.
Nukumasia, a father-of-five children, labelled the social welfare assistance programme for the elderly and poor families together with free education support for children encouraged them to shift their support.
He shared how during the rehabilitation work post cyclones, they were assisted by the FijiFirst Government with building resources and given timely food rations.
“We are satisfied with all that FijiFirst has done for us, so it’s our time to show our appreciation by voting for the party,” he said.
He was confident the village had been dominated by FijiFirst supporters.
Despite, the campaigning efforts by the People’s Alliance (PA) candidates to sway their people with lies, they continued to resist their advise for a vote.
The village is home to more than 300 people and the village acted as a resting and stop-over location for people travelling to Taveuni through private ferry services.
Request post-election
Mr Nukumasia hoped the re-election of the Bainimarama-led party into Government would enable them to request seawall upgrade works.
A 30-year-old mother-of-two, Taraivosa Tamaue, said they were blessed to host Mr Bainimarama for the second time after the opening of the hydro-electricity project in the village.
Ms Tamaue felt her children’s educational journey was in the right hands under this party and thanked Government for its Inflation Mitigation Assistance.