Poverty eradication is an area of priority the Government continues to address by formulating strategies to improve the standard of living in Fiji.
This was raised by Commissioner Central Col. Laisenia Tuitubou when he officially opened a Poverty Reduction Awareness programme organised by the Poverty Monitoring Unit in Korovou, Tailevu.
Col Laisenia Tuitubou highlighted the need for the display of information of vital services by government ministries and private sectors to help reduce poverty.
“The objective is to motivate the public about reducing poverty by utilising the available local resources and to create confidence and ownership that reducing poverty is everybody’s business,” Col Tuitubou said.
The integrated approach will benefit members of the public to access the essential information to help make informed decisions.
“A poverty of information is when one does not have the full knowledge of information to be able to access basic services such as health centers, hospitals, nursing stations, schools, and water,” Col Tuitubou said.
“Stakeholders need to work together with Government. This includes NGO’s, private sectors, trade-based organizations, and more importantly the vanua.
“At the same time we are empowering our people to make better decisions.”
District officer Viliame Baleirara, identified the event as government’s efforts to alleviate poverty at the district and village level.
“The necessary stakeholders present will contribute to this particular effort to raise the poverty level at district and village level,” Mr Baleirara said.
The three-day event with the theme, “Poverty is an Attitude Change” is highly appreciated by members of the public.
Tailevu North Women’s Club president Liga Saro said the program was a chance for women and school students to be aware of the services available.
“Events like these brought to our doorsteps open opportunities for rural women to address issues regarding health, training, money and business skills,” Mrs Saro said.
Participants included personnel from banks, tertiary institutes, microfinance units and various government departments.
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