Councillor returns home to help improve livelihoods
New Tabia advisory councillor Mohammed Imran Buksh has a lot on his plate this year. He is 34, and deemed the youngest in the North to hold the position.
He is a Fiji National University (FNU) graduate in Diploma in Business Management and University of Fiji graduate in Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration (Human Resource Management).
He said his qualification and work experience in the past 12 years could help him improve the lives of more than 3000 people living in Tabia.
Under Government’s ‘Look North Policy,’ he aims to stop the migration of people from his area, improve income generation, help people access quality education, better infrastructures and services such as water and electricity supply, and transportation. “One of the reasons why many don’t return to the areas I look after is that after receiving tertiary education and a job, they don’t want to suffer problems again such as being deprived of clean drinking water,” Mr Buksh said.
“There are many people in our area who drink water from wells and creeks. Those who access metered water face water disruptions.”
His wish for better water supply to his area could materialise soon after he asked the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka on Wednesday for water supply assistance to some families at Vuiloqi Settlement.
Mr Ditoka, as part of the Government delegation led by Prime Minister Rabuka on a tour of the North, visited the Vunivaceva Water Project site at Tabia.
“People at Vuiloqi Settlement drink water from a well and during the dry season, they use creek water. I asked Mr Ditoka to assist
us with the necessary equipment so that we can solve the water problem at Vuiloqi.” He said consistent water supply was the biggest problem at Tabia.
“I strongly believe that the person responsible of taking care of its people should have everything in black and white so that it is easy to follow updates with the relevant authorities,” Mr Buksh said.
He was elected councillor of Tabia by the people of Qalewaqa, Korosomo, Vunivaceva, Laqere, Soisoi, Tabia, Vatudova, Movo, Lagi Road and Yalava.
In the past 12 years he has held managerial positions in companies in the North and Viti Levu.
Upon returning home, the father of three from Soisoi said not much had changed in terms of development in his area.
He now aims to upgrade infrastructure, essential services, and better education for their children.
“I am a strong advocate of education rights to children.”
Tabia is about 17 kilometres from Labasa Town.