Nadi Has Come A Long Way: Dakuinisavu

26/10/2020

MEREANI GONEDUA
 
“Fiji has come a long way since independence, there are now many developments and I was only six years old when I witnessed my first Fiji Day celebrations in Nadi.”

These were the recollections of Josefa Dakuinisavu from Taveuni during the Fiji Day celebrations at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.

“The town itself has changed, there are now new buildings around and even this park was not as developed before.”

“It has been a long road for our country and for those of us who have been in this town for quite a while, we can really see the many positive changes around.”

Meanwhile officiating at the celebrations, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar highlighted that economic development in the district has grown rapidly and now Nadi is an economic power base for Fiji.

“The town of Nadi is expanding quickly and finds itself in a transition, creating many expectations and opportunities.

“The current population of the Nadi municipality is over 70,000. Nadi has three wards – Nadi, Martintar and Namaka - and a rate payer base of 2,722. “We know that Nadi is a city in the making and that you have the desire “to be Fiji’s most liveable city”.

Minister Kumar revealed that further plans for Nadi include the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project in three phases and the Nadi – Lautoka Master Planning Exercise overseen by her Ministry is putting in place strategic thinking for the next 75 years.

“Together, we have set a pace of national development unmatched in the Pacific, developing our towns, cities, and our rural and maritime areas, extending life-changing services across our islands.”

The Minister also reiterated the President, Major-General (ret’d) Jioji Konrote’s message “that our success is not owed to luck or chance”.

“It has come because our people, with their diverse strengths and skillsets, have together propelled Fiji forward, both knowingly and unknowingly.”
 
-ENDS-