Landowners involvement important, says Ro Filipe
IT is important to involve landowners in economic activities such as contracts with regional authorities, and improving resource owner participation in the economy, says Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
He made the statement during the Navakavu 2nd Strategic Planning Meeting 2024-2028, themed “Energising Our Resilience” at the Seafarers Hall in Walu Bay on Thursday.
The event was the second phase of the strategic plan for the Navakavu Blue Economic Zone (NBEZ) by the members of the Yavusa Navakavu in the district of Suva.
Ro Filipe opened the workshop to discuss strategic plan and development plans, emphasising balance between economic growth and sustainable development.
“It is very important for landowners to understand the resources they have and how they will utilise it in terms of sustainable development, keeping in mind the environment and also climate change,” Ro Filipe said.
“It would be a balance between development for economic purpose and development in terms of preserving what we have for future generations.”
The event is a significant milestone in the groundbreaking initiative of the Yavusa Navakavu Mangrove Sanctuary and Eco-tourism Project (NMSETT).
The project aims to conserve 480 acres of mangrove forests west of Suva Harbour, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Blue Economy principles, and Climate Action initiatives.
It is a demonstration of community-driven resilience and sustainable development, carried out in partnership with the Fijian Government’s Ministry of Finance and the UNDP Blue Accelerator Grants programme.
Presentations by various government representative and yavusa members were done, providing insights into the project’s progress, aligning it with the government’s climate change mandate, action plans, and funding opportunities.
This project will benefit more than 130 households that make up the five villages — Muaivuso, Nabaka, Waiqanake, Namakala and Ucuinamono — of the landowning unit of Navakavu.
Waiqanake villager, Tevita Qounadovu thanked the Government and its representatives for coming on board and helping the yavusa with the project.
The major aim of the workshop is to use the event as a consultation in hopes of the approval of the NBEZ initiative by Cabinet in March.
The project is sponsored by the Yavusa Navakavu Development Trust, the Ministry of Rural Development, and the Blue Horizon Group.