PM visits Makoi unit
Chinese government hands over 200 vehicles.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama meets Monika Devi and her eight-month-old baby Hassan Ali, while visiting the new Makoi Maternity Unit on February 22, 2018. Yesterday the Chinese government also handed over 200 vehicles to the Prime Minister.
Special schools in Fiji will be the first on the Government’s list to receive school buses after 50 buses were handed to the the Fijian Government yesterday. This comes after the government of the People’s Republic of China handed over 200 China Aid Vehicles to the Fijian Government at the Police Mobile Unit in Makoi. From this, 50 were school buses and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confirmed that this would first be rolled out to special schools that were in need of the buses.
He said the reality was that Fijians were separated by great physical distances, which was one reason the Government made special efforts to bring services, infrastructure and development to all in Fiji.
“We will not allow these communities in rural pockets of the country to languish on the sidelines of our economic development,” he said.
“We need vehicles to continue all of that important work in our rural communities. Having more vehicles means we can respond more quickly to emergencies, address urgent needs of ordinary Fijians and keep delivering on our agenda for rural outreach and development.”
Mr Bainimarama added that vehicles would immediately be put to use and integrated within the existing Government fleet under the management of the Fleet Management Team within our Ministry of Economy. Chinese ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo confirmed that the 200 vehicles provided by the Chinese government included 50 school buses, 30 ambulances, 50 Police cars, 50 minibuses and 20 panel vans.
Mr Qian said the project was funded by the Chinese government grant with a total value of 17.5 million Fijian dollars.
“It is one of the largest material projects from China to Fiji in recent years,” he said.
He said the vehicle project was only made possible under the direct attention of both the countries’ leaders.
“This project fully demonstrates the strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development between China and Fiji,” Ambassador Qian said.
“These vehicles are much needed material for the Fijian gover nment to provide public service.” Meanwhile, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar, confirmed yesterday that the 30 ambulances would be dispatched to the needed areas in Fiji.
“I am happy and this is one of the areas where the ministry needed ambulances to uplift the Ministry of Health’s service delivery, we are thankful to the People’s Republic of China for their generosity,” she said.
Notes:
■The 200 vehicles would contribute to a better service in education, healthcare, public security and many other sectors in both urban and rural areas.
■The vehicles are manufactured by the SAIC Motor, a well-known Chinese company.
■The Chinese also provided an extra 20 per cent spare parts for all the vehicles.
■SAIC Motor has a service partner in Fiji and would provide two-year warranty for these vehicles.
■I■ two weeks’ time, a technical service team is expected to arrive in Suva to give training for Fijian technicians on vehicle maintenance.