More than one thousand Kioa islanders and school children will now have a safer means of transportation through government’s assistance of a 23 feet fibre glass boat.
The $43,000 fibre glass boat which has a proper steering wheel, a cabin and an 85 horse power Yamaha outboard engine was funded by the Prime Minister’s Office following a request from islanders in Kioa.
Commending the assistance by government, Kioa island chief, Avatele Fakamua said that they were grateful to the Prime Minister and his government for its commitment to rural islanders.
“I would like to thank the government of the day for easing our transportation woes and for assisting us with a boat that will transport our children to Taveuni to attend school,” Mr Fakamua said.
“We now have a safer mode of transportation and we will no longer have to worry about our passage at sea.”
Kioa Island Council Chairman, Samalu Taitai said that previously islanders in Kioa sometimes used outrigger canoes to travel to Taveuni.
“Before we still resorted to canoes when we wanted to go to Taveuni but now the Council is pleased that this new fibreglass boat we will be able to transport our children safely to school,” Mr Taitai said.
“Currently the Council’s boat is an old one and not safe for transporting islanders and children to Taveuni.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Naipote Katonitabua said that government was pleased to assist the island of Kioa.
“We are pleased to be of assistance to the island of Kioa especially the school children who will be travelling to Taveuni on this boat,” Mr Katonitabua said as he presented the new vessel this week.
“The welfare of the people of Kioa is very important to us since it is looked after by the Office of the Prime Minister and we hope that this boat will contribute to the improvement of standard of living for islanders there.”
The boat will be looked after by the Kioa Island Council and will used in the provision of ferry service to Taveuni on a user pay system.
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