AZARIA FAREEN
The village of Nasomo in Vatukoula has transformed positively over the years with the biggest change being a massive drop in the crime rate, with the percentage drop going from 30 per cent to 70 per cent.
This was highlighted by Nasomo community police officer to the Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations and Youth and Sport Parveen Kumar during a talanoa session with youth and community members recently.
Minister Kumar was informed the area was not a good place to be in the 70’s and 80’s and due to the empowerment and skills training hosted by the line Ministry, there has been a substantial decrease in the crime rate.
In previous years, taxi drivers would be scared to drop off passengers in this area as they would be mugged but there has been no report of such cases recently and not only that, domestic violence rate has also dropped significantly.
Minister Kumar applauded the efforts of the community and said this talanoa session gives him an opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with the youths and hear their pleas and proposal so they can be assisted accordingly.
“The whole reason why we want to assist you is because of the unemployment caused by COVID-19 and this is one of the ways of engaging you in employment opportunities so you can assist your family,” Minister Kumar said.
“I would like to urge you to please follow the right path, use your time wisely and respect your elders in the village because they have done their share and now it is your turn to pay them back,” he added.
Minister Kumar also received requests on a setup of a rugby and netball club with a land identified nearby with a proposal to set up a bakery which he said will be one of the many projects being undertaken by the ministry.
“I also request you to abide by the restrictions in place by the respective authorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the curfew restrictions from 11 pm - 4 am and urge everyone with smart phones to download the careFIJI App for your and the community’s safety,” he added.
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