MINISTER FOR FORESTRY HON. ALITIA BAINIVALU'S MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT- UPDATE ON FIJI’S MARITIME PINE DEVELOPMENT

Honourable Speaker of Parliament;
The Honourable Prime Minister;
Honourable Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers;
Honourable Leader of the Opposition;
Honourable Members of Parliament;
Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good morning to you all,
 
It is with deep humility and immense pride that I rise to deliver this ministerial statement on the Maritime Pine Project — a visionary initiative that continues to stand as a symbol of partnership, perseverance, and people-centered progress.
This project, Mr Speaker Sir, is far more than a forestry programme. It is a living demonstration of what can be achieved when Government, the Vanua, and our private-sector partners unite with a shared purpose — to create sustainable opportunities for our maritime communities that have, for far too long, been limited by distance and isolation.

At the very heart of this initiative lies a powerful and enduring principle — empowerment through collaboration. For decades, our maritime regions have endured the challenge of geographical separation, which has often denied them access to the same level of opportunity enjoyed by others. Today, that reality is changing. The Maritime Pine Project has brought together a coalition of committed partners — the Fiji Pine Trust, Fiji Pine Group of Companies, iTLTB, the Ministry of Environment, the Fiji Roads Authority, Genesis Shipping, Drelaga Logging Investment, the Ministry of Provincial Development, and the Ministry of Lands.

Above all, this initiative stands firmly on the support and blessing of the Vanua of Muani, Namalata, Waikatakata, Solodamu, Buregadro and Yawe. Together, these partners and communities demonstrate that true and lasting development is not something done for our people, but achieved with our people — through shared vision, respect, and partnership.

Mr Speaker Sir, this project is directly transforming lives by putting real income into the hands of landowners, the rightful custodians of our forests. To date, a total of $1.53 million has been distributed to resource owners in Kadavu and Gau. This includes $570,000 to Muani, Kadavu; $457,000 to Solodamu, Kadavu; $39,000 to Namalata, Kadavu; and $464,000 to Narocake, Gau.
 
These funds have benefited approximately 1,500 individuals and have been used to build homes, support education, establish small enterprises, and improve village infrastructure — all determined by the priorities of the communities themselves.
 
I also wish to acknowledge the strong and continued commitment of the Fijian Government in supporting our maritime forestry sector. Over the past few years, a total of $16 million has been invested under the Ministry of Forestry’s Head 32 Budget to advance maritime pine development across our outer islands.
 
This funding includes allocations of $1.5 million annually for the Maritime Pine Development Programme and $2.5 million annually for the Maritime Pine Subsidy Programme.

These consistent budgetary provisions reflect Government’s unwavering dedication to ensuring that the benefits of forestry development extend to even the most remote corners of our nation.
 
One of the greatest challenges our maritime communities have faced has always been logistics — the cost and complexity of moving timber from the islands to the mainland. Through the Maritime Pine Subsidy Programme, this Government has bridged that gap. We have successfully coordinated 26 barge voyages, transporting approximately 24,000 tonnes of pine from remote islands to Lautoka.
 
This includes 16 voyages carrying 6,400 tonnes from Narocake, Gau; 5 voyages carrying 9,500 tonnes from Muani, Kadavu; 4 voyages carrying 7,600 tonnes from Solodamu, Kadavu; and 1 voyage carrying 650 tonnes from Namalata, Kadavu. These are not mere statistics — they represent livelihoods in motion, families empowered, and communities reconnected to national markets and opportunity.
 
In Nasegai, Kadavu, construction has begun on a 3.6-kilometre access road, with 310 metres already completed — an investment of nearly $5,000.

In Wailevu, Kadavu, 480 metres of access road have been constructed, directly benefiting 150 people by providing easier access for pine processing and housing materials.
 
We have also established critical storage infrastructure — a 2,470 square-metre yard in Vunisea and a 2,230 square-metre yard in Narocake — serving over 1,400 people collectively. These facilities now function as economic hubs that enhance efficiency, create employment, and strengthen the pine value chain in our maritime islands.
 
Mr. Speaker Sir, Plans are already in motion for the next phase of this project, which includes the construction of pine-harvesting jetties in Ono, Kadavu, and Lakeba, Lau. These developments will further open up new avenues for trade, improve shipping efficiency, and enhance disaster response capabilities for our island communities.
 
Mr Speaker Sir, sustainability remains the cornerstone of this entire programme. Our responsibility does not end with harvesting; it is renewed with replanting. To date, approximately 26,000 pine seedlings have been planted, restoring 22 hectares of harvested land. Under the Muani and Nasegai Pine Schemes, a total of $8,000 has been distributed to support replanting efforts. It is inspiring to note that local groups, including village youths and rugby teams, have participated in this effort — demonstrating that forest stewardship has truly become a shared national responsibility.

The story of the Kadavu Rugby Union stands as a proud example of this unity and innovation. With the guidance of forestry officers and the support of the Vanua, these young men have intertwined forestry, sport, and sustainability to fund their journey to the 2026 Skipper Cup Competition. Their story reminds us that forestry builds more than trees — it builds discipline, teamwork, and national pride.
 
From Kadavu to Gau, and soon to Lau, the Maritime Pine Project shines as a beacon of what can be achieved when partnership is guided by purpose and driven by compassion. It is a project that not only plants trees, builds roads, and establishes jetties, but also connects families, empowers communities, and restores both livelihoods and hope.

Finally Hon Speaker, When Government, the Vanua, and our people work together, no island is too distant, and no Fijian is left behind.

Vinaka vakalevu.