The Fijian Government thanked the Government of the Republic of Turkey this morning for co-sponsoring the Buca Hydro Project at Buca Village, Cakaudrove which was commissioned in January by Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola formally thanked the representatives of the Turkey International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) and the representatives of TEMSAN Company, that constructed the hydro power dam, for their commitment and support towards such a project.
Ratu Inoke hopes the Buca project will not be the last but will open more doors for funding and a closer working relationship between the two countries.
“I am hopeful that this is only the beginning of such cooperation between the two Governments as we look forward to Turkey’s continuing technical cooperation and development assistance in the future,” he said.
“Let me from the outset, extend on behalf of the Government of Fiji, our sincere gratitude to the Government of Republic of Turkey for its generous support to this important area of “renewable energy generation” and the work that has been successfully completed in respect of the construction of the Mini-Hydroelectricity Plant in Buca Village,” he said.
Clean, renewable energy is critically essential to Fiji and the Buca Mini-hydro plant is particularly important as it could form the model for other rural settlements that has ample water resources that can be harnessed to generate hydro-power.
The project is timely given that the Fijian Government is working to promote renewable energy among its citizens particularly in the rural areas.
In addition, it has become economically challenging for Fiji to continue to depend on diesel and other non-renewable energy sources given its remote location and the high cost of exporting fuels.
More importantly, this immense contribution is viewed as an important milestone for furthering relations between the Fijian Government and their Turkish counterparts.
Ratu Inoke said the hydro power facility now provides electrical power to 75 households of Buca village who are experiencing raised living standards and a stimulation of businesses opportunities reliant on electricity.
Access to electricity will support the development of natural resources, for instance the preservation of fishing grounds, better lights for village students and the generation of small businesses for the villages.
“On that note, on behalf of the Government of Fiji, I would like to once again convey our deepest appreciation to the Government of Republic of Turkey for this significant assistance,” he added.
Ratu Inoke also presented a small ‘tanoa’ as a token of Fiji’s appreciation and a symbol of pleasant memories of their time in Fiji.
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