The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Rosy Akbar visited Navai settlement in Labasa this week to meet with residents and discuss Government’s overall development programs that were relevant to her portfolio.
Navai settlement is a multiracial farming community that is located 60 kilometers from the Seaqaqa district outside Labasa.
The objective of Minister Akbar’s visit was to distribute school stationeries to 72 students at Navai Primary School and also speak to them and their parents about the National Child Helpline and child welfare programs.
Minister Akbar’s visit also provided an opportunity for those in Navai settlement to seek clarification and information on the Ministry’s programs regarding social welfare programs.
In her opening address, Minister Akbar emphasised on the importance of reaching out to rural communities.
“We are trying to reach out to rural and remote communities to provide them with the information on the Ministry’s programs. The Ministry provides assistance through the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care and Protection Program, Social Pension Scheme, Expanded Food Voucher Program and income generating projects as well.
“The purpose of our visit to network with the community to look at ways we can work together to improve the lives of women, children and families. The Ministry is also here to raise awareness on elimination of violence against women and children. Strong families are foundation for the strong nation. The Ministry through its reach project aims to increase awareness on these issues in rural communities,” Minister Akbar elaborated.
Mr Sanjay Kumar, the head teacher for Navai Primary School acknowledged the government for the timely assistance.
“We are grateful to the Fijian government for assisting these students with free transport, free education and free text books program. These children don’t have to pay any fees and Year One students are getting free milk and weetbix as well. These programs assist our students to attend classes regularly and emphasizes on the importance of education in our country.
“And we are really fortunate that Minister Akbar has visited us and provided the school stationeries to these students. Meeting with the Minister is also a great incentive for the students to work hard and become great leaders in their communities. The visit by Minister Akbar has given hope to this community, it reflects on the government’s commitment to education development in rural communities, the awareness on child welfare programs is also beneficial for the parents and teachers as well,” Mr Kumar said.
Similarly, Mr Amit Narayan, a farmer in Navai settlement describes farming as a profitable venture in Seaqaqa.
“I have been a farmer the last 30 years and FijiFirst government has been assisting us farmers through grants for rice and sugarcane farming in Navai settlement. These forms of assistance recognize the challenges we face and not only that, there is frequent visits by the government officials for continued dialogue on the way forward for the development of Navai community,” Mr Narayan said.