In a show of commitment towards improving their livelihoods, villagers of Maumi Village in Tailevu this week pioneered a project that will provide villagers the opportunity to venture into income generating projects.
A pilot project for the Ministry of Local Government, the ‘Sustainable Housing Income Generating Project’ was launched by the Minister for Local Government Samuela Saumatua this week. Designed to stimulate economic projects for those living in newly established formal settlements, the project is expected to also create opportunities for those who have no form of employment.
For soft spoken 77year old Dibau Vuibau, this project also opens a ‘window of opportunity’ for the youth of the village who will now have access to farming services and resources to allow them to fully utilise the land that they reside on.
“Since we moved from the old village site in 1969 we had settled in our own “mataqali” land which was like settlement during those times there was differences amongst the villagers but with this new development we are able to leave together in a community,” Mrs. Vuibau said.
She acknowledged the efforts rendered by Government in trying to improve their livelihoods and provide opportunities to alleviate rural dwellers from poverty.
While officiating at the launch of the project, Minister Saumatua reminded the villagers to take advantage of the social positives that will be derived through this project.
“Government will lease 25 acres of land for agricultural projects like ginger farming, harvest vegetables to reduce the incidence of Non-communicable disease and reduce rural urban drift with the job opportunities created through income generating projects,” the Minister said.
“Poultry and piggery farming which is new concept for most villagers should create opportunities for the youths to venture into the own businesses,” Minister said.
Government has provided $200,000 for this development and will provide electricity and water supply for the village.
The Minister also emphasised to the villagers that Government has shifted its focus of development to the rural areas to allow the people to access the same services like those in the urban and which in turn will reduce rural urban drift.
The development is phased out in three phases and the project is expected to be completed in 2014.