The Government Shipping Services is thankful to the Government for the allocation of $3million in the 2011 Budget allocated for the for revamping of vessels to assist in economic development.
“We are thankful to Government that they have allocated two government shipping services from last year, a substantial amount of money for 2011 to undertake the relevant refurbishments to ensure they meet the standards of the Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Authority,” Commander Fiji Navy Francis Kean said.
He said the aim of the Government Shipping Services was to assist the Government and always be on standby to provide transport for people to travel to the outer islands.
“One of the aims of the government shipping services is to assist Government in the economic development of islands in the Maritime provinces and also to help Government in the infrastructure development out in the islands,” Commander Kean said.
“Shipping services is always on standby. We ensure that whenever there is a need and if vessels in the fleet are available to service some of these routes that may require the transportation of people to the islands.”
Commander Kean said they have liaised with the Ministry of Education to provide transport to teachers and students to return to their Islands.
“Beginning of this week, we have liaised with the Ministry of Education that all teachers returning to southern Lau and all the school children that are going back to school, that they will be taken back. The week after, we will do the same for Lomaiviti group,” he said.
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