‘Namoli Boy’ Returns from USA with Plans to Develop Bekana Island
After spending almost 40 years in the United States of America, former Namoli ‘boy’, Ashok Singh is back and ready to kick start developments on Lautoka’s Belo Vula Resort.
The renowned resort, known to many as Bekana Island, is a frequent picnic spot to almost all visitors to the Sugar City.
Mr Singh, 62, was born in Namoli, Lautoka and left Fiji’s shores in 1980 to work as a banker.
He previously worked at the then Bank of New South Wales, now known as Westpac Fiji.
The soft-spoken father of two children shared how Bekana Island was always a second home for his family.
Before migrating to the USA, he made it his duty to return upon his retirement from the bank and develop the island for the locals to enjoy.
Mr Singh has committed US$1million (FJ$2.25m) into the development of Bekana Island.
“We visited Bekana Island multiple times during our life and I grew up as a child going to Bekana for our picnics with our family,” he said.
“Upon my retirement I planned to come back and relive my childhood and get Bekana back to us. Fiji is always in my heart and Bekana was the first choice for me.
“I hope I can get it up and running to a point where it is something that the Lautoka people will be proud of.”
Plans
He said plans were finalised and he was in the process of ordering equipment, doing the infrastructure logistics as well as planning.
The island will soon feature a fully-fledged waterpark, jet skis, kayaks and other water sporting activities.
“The basis is to have a lot of activities on the island for locals to enjoy,” he said.
The waterpark is scheduled to officially open in December.
Villas
Mr Singh also highlighted that the current 19 villas were being remodelled.
Fifty per cent of the villas on the island have been completed and the rest are nearing completion.
Mr Singh confirmed that more villas would also be constructed.
“At the moment, the island has been the ‘go to’ place for the locals where they pay $15 for a return trip to the island and can take their food and drinks,” he added.
“It is a 10 minutes boat ride from the mainland.”
A soft opening for the villas will take place on October 1.
Rates
Local rates will be known soon. “We offer the same benefits for the locals to stay over if they would like to, but the day trips are available for the locals since it is so close to Lautoka City where they can enjoy the beach, bar and restaurants that we have on the island,” Mr Singh said.
More than 30 jobs will be created through this development.