Kadavu - It was an emotional day for 87 year old Jale O’Connor of Solotavui Village in Nakasaleka, Kadavu after the commissioning of the new $1.2 million District Administration Office in Kavala earlier this week by Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
Mr. O’Connor stated, that in the past, the villagers from the Tikina of Nakasaleka had to travel to Tavuki and Vunisea to access government services.
He stated “We would travel in punts without outboard engines and wade or paddle our way to and from our village to ensure that our issues was raised to authorities.”
“But today I am thankful to the government that they have opened a government station which I had raised at the District leaders meeting - which has been commissioned today.”
“On behalf of the villagers I wish to express our sincere acknowledgement to government for the work it has carried out in bringing this development to fruition for the people that live in the upper north of Kadavu.”
“I am happy that it has come about when I am still around hence my sincere acknowledgement and I am happy about government and the changes it is bringing about to assist our livelihood.”
After consultations with the then Kadavu Provincial Administrator, the landowners worked closely with government officials to secure 120 acres of leased land for the construction of the new government station.
“This has solved a lot of our issues in particular the long travel by boat in open sea to Tavuki to access government services, sometimes, we didn’t have a proper boat nor outboard engine and at times our punts would drift.”
“I am thankful to the government of the day and its officials for this new development and I’m happy to say that I would happily pass on today or tomorrow because I know that I have contributed to a development which will impact the lives of the people today and those tomorrow, in Kadavu”, he said.