Natia villagers receives new boat and engine
THE provision of a boat and engine for the villagers of Natia, in the district of Yasawa, will boost income generation for youths in the village. The village was the recipient of a brand new fibreglass boat and engine - an assistance worth $24,000 from the Government through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self-Help Programme (SHP).
The villagers recently travelled to Lautoka to receive the boat and engine from the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu.
While receiving the boat and engine, Natia Village headman, Iliesa Sukaloa said the assistance provided by the Government would significantly improve transportation for the villagers and support the village in some of their long-term plans. “We live on an island located far away from mainland Viti Levu, but the resources given to us today will greatly help us. We face a lot of challenges in terms of transportation, but today this burden has been lightened,” Mr Sukaloa said. Currently, the village has two boats, which are used for the transportation of villagers and products for sale in Lautoka. “However, these two boats are old and only have limited capacity. This new boat and engine will enable our youths to increase their sale of fish. The main source of income for the three villages in Viwa is through fishing, so this assistance will really boost their business and also contribute positively towards some plans for the village,” he added.
Natia was the second of the three villages in the district of Viwa in Yasawa to receive a boat and engine from the Ministry. Villagers from neighbouring Yakani Village were also recent recipients of similar assistance from the Ministry.
Turaga Ni Yavusa Natia, Jiuta Qoro, said the villagers are grateful to receive such assistance. “I want to thank the Government officials who have been communicating with us in Yasawa because we face a lot of hardships in terms of our location. To get a boat like this is an honour and achievement because our forefathers used to only travel at particular times back in the day,” Mr Qoro said. Minister Seruiratu said the project was part of the Gov- ernment’s intention of ensur- ing that no Fijian in the rural and maritime communities was left behind in the development aspira- tions of the Government.
“Viwa is one of the most difficult places to reach and of course, has a lot of chal- lenges as well, but I’m thankful that the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, through the Office of the Commissioner
Western Division and District Officer (DO) Lautoka/Yasawa that listens to the request of these villagers” he said.
(Source: Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management)