Rural Fijians have commended government’s investment of a $2.4 million landing craft that was commissioned today by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The MLC Vunilagi has the ability to carry 30 passengers including cargo and is ideal for Fiji’s needs with its dedicated freezers and ability to transport heavy goods. It can also bring agriculture produce from maritime communities quickly and efficiently to markets on the mainland.
Commending the government initiative, 60 year old Mualevu villager, Lakalaka Vosavakadua said that she was happy that her family in Lau will now have the opportunity to bring goods and produce to the market.
“My family back home in Lau can now send fish, coconuts and root crops on this landing craft to be sold at the market,” Mrs Vosavakadua said.
“Previously ships will only service islands such as Lau once a month and we were faced with shipping challenges because we couldn’t transport our goods to the mainland.”
Sharing similar sentiments was 49 year old Losalini Raluve of Yawe, Kadavu who said that she was pleased to hear that the MLC Vunilagi would also deliver materials needed for development.
“For us in Kadavu, development still lags behind as there is no proper landing craft to transport material needed for constructing roads and other infrastructure,” Mrs Raluve said.
“Hearing the Prime Minister this morning during his speech has been a huge relief because I know that now this landing craft can take materials to our island for development purposes.”
She added that she would also be able to send goods back to her village via the landing craft.
The MLC Vunilagi makes her maiden voyage to Rotuma tomorrow carrying with it cargo and goods for the island.
-ENDS-