Villagers from the four villages on the island of Moturiki in Lomaiviti expressed their gratitude and acknowledgement for the assistance by Government in the construction of a footpath that links the villages of Naicabecabe, Nasauvuki, Navuti and Nasesara.
Measuring more than 2 kilometers, the footpath project was funded by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management under its Community Access Roads, Footpaths and Footbridges (CARFF) Programme at a cost of around $40,000.
The project which is being overseen by the Office of the Commissioner Eastern Division is nearing completion and is expected to benefit more than 400 people.
Naicabecabe Village women's group leader, Eleni Duvuniyasi, said the footpath project has relieved a lot of burdens carried by mothers in the four villages on Moturiki for years.
“This footpath has greatly benefited our mothers, especially in terms of their children's access to school. In the past, during rainy days, we have to wade in the mud to get to the next village. Because of the animal waste from the pig pen that we have to walk through before getting to school, we used to be very concerned about our health and safety,” Ms Duvuniyasi said.
“We used to really face a lot of challenges and difficulties in the past. Sometimes we would prefer carrying our children on our backs and swim across to the next village during high tide so they could get safely to school without being infected by the deposits of the animal waste.”
“I would like to sincerely thank Government, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and the Commissioner Eastern Division for this assistance and for also visiting us today.”
Youth leader Mr. Tevita Vuki said they were thankful to Government for this assistance.
“By implementing this project not only will children be able to safely get to school, but village elders will also have a safer way to get to and from the other villages,” Mr Vuki said.
Villagers from the four villages on Moturiki presented a tabua (whale’s tooth) to the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu and a visiting Government delegation yesterday to traditionally welcome them and also express their acknowledgement for the footpath project.
While speaking with the villagers, Minister Seruiratu reiterated that the intention of Government was clear and this was to ensure that every Fijian had the same level of access to Government’s services and assistance regardless of where they live in Fiji.
Minister Seruiratu also thanked the villagers for their commitment towards getting the project completed, considering the challenges they faced in getting the materials to the project site.
At the completion of a talanoa session at Naicabecabe Village yesterday, Minister Seruiratu, Commissioner Eastern Division, Vitale Varo and the Government team walked more than 2km to not only witness the progress of the project implementation but to have also have a feel of what the villagers from the 4 villages face on a daily basis.