Commissioner Northern Lt. Col Ilai Moceica challenged Government agencies and other stakeholders to assist in the eradication of poverty through their various programs.
At the recent International Day for the Eradication of Poverty celebrated in Nabouwalu in Vanua Levu, the Commissioner called for an inclusive approach by government agencies and all stakeholders to work together to reduce poverty.
Touring display booths at the celebrations, Lt. Col Moceica took time to discuss with each agency as to how their work contributed to reducing poverty and at the same time, urged and encouraged them to work hard as they play a vital role in alleviating the social ill from the Bua province.
Agencies that took part in the public display included the Department of National Roads, Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiji Development Bank, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and the Fiji Corrections Service.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was also commemorated in Levuka on October 21 and in Rakiraki on October 28. The occasion has been globally observed annually since October 17, 1992.
This year’s international theme is ‘From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development’.
The State under its commitment and obligation to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG 1) – Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger, has incorporated it through its policy objective of “reducing poverty to a negligible level by 2015”.
It is also well articulated in the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress and the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009-2014.