The commissioning of 1000 solar home project by Government yesterday has lighted up a community in Naviavia settlement in Savusavu.
Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities Timoci Natuva, while commissioning the site acknowledged the community for their efforts in ensuring development.
“The Fijian government has a mandate to regard everyone as Fijians. I want to thank all people in Naviavia for supporting government and ensuring that development is prioritized for the benefit of our children,” Minister Natuva said.
“We want to encourage youths to utilize their time and utilize idle land for agriculture to assist their families financially.”
Minister Natuva highlighted the families will now be saving $22 per month which would otherwise be used to buy kerosene or batteries.
He added the monetary savings can now be diverted to other productive uses such as health or education needs of each family.
Naviavia village community head man Marika Sade said this is the first time for the village to access proper electricity in 71 years since their forefathers settled on the land.
“We are so proud of this incentive provided by government and we know that this will assist our children in their education” Mr Sade said.
The farming community of Naviavia has 49 households and a school that caters for classes one to eight.
Mr Sade said with high cost of living, the solar energy project will greatly motivate their children to strive for excellence in education.
“Before we spent about $11 to buy four litres of kerosene and diesel for our generators to generate power so our children can study or for cooking in the afternoon but we will now save that amount,” Mr Sade said.
The Naviavia community has contributed close to $2,500 for this project and government has invested close to $96,000 as part of its commitment in ensuring development in rural and maritime areas.
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