Caption: Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka officiates at the commissioning of the Moce Community Foot-crossing in Lau.
SUVA – Children of Nasau and Korotolu attending Moce Secondary and Moce District School on the island of Moce in Lau no longer have to worry about commuting to school during adverse weather.
This follows the commissioning of the Moce Community Foot-crossing Project by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka.
Minister Ditoka toured the islands of Moce and Oneata in Lau last month. The visit was the first since he took office in December 2022.
Before the implementation of the project, more than 180 children from the villages of Nasau and Korotolu faced significant hurdles in commuting to school during adverse weather. The only means of crossing waterways were precarious coconut trunks, posing safety risks for the students, especially during rainy days.
During periods of heavy rain or flash floods, the tree trunks would be submerged or washed away, leaving students stranded and unable to attend school. The implementation of the foot-crossing project will help address this critical issue, providing a safer and more reliable means for children to access education.
Caption: Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr. Isoa Talemaibua and Commissioner Eastern Division Mr. Vitale Varo walks along the newly commissioned Moce Community Footcrossing in Lau.
Villagers, expressing their sincere appreciation, acknowledged the Government for its commitment to addressing the plight faced by students in Nasau and Korotolu.
Nasau Village headman Mr. Joeli Ledua said they were grateful for the completion of this much-needed development.
“We are very thankful for this development commissioned by Hon. Ditoka. Along with our village elders, we never once thought that we would witness this day when a Government Minister would come down to commission such a development in our remote village. We would like to sincerely thank the Government for thinking about us through the implementation of this very much-needed development project,” said Mr. Ledua.
The foot-crossing project not only ensures safer access for children to attend school but also contributes to the overall well-being of the communities.
This investment by the Government is expected to have a lasting impact, not only on education but also on the daily lives of villagers who will now have safer access to their plantations. The Moce Community Foot-crossing Project is a reflection of the Government’s dedication to improving infrastructure and ensuring a conducive environment for education in remote communities.
Korotolu Village headman Mr. Mosese Talemaivavalagi said the villagers were thankful because they no longer have to endure the challenges and struggles they previously faced.
“Today is a very exciting day for all of us here on the island of Moce. This newly commissioned development project will greatly assist us in getting to school, to our plantations, and to go to the sea,” he said.
Caption: Korotolu Village headman Mr. Mosese Talemaivavalagi (left) and Nasau Village headman Mr. Joeli Ledua have expressed their acknowledgement to Government for the completion of the Moce Community Foot-crossing Project.
The Moce Community Foot-crossing Project was completed at a cost of more than $15,000 by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management under its Community Access Roads, Footpaths, and Footbridges (CARFF) Programme.
In commissioning the project, Hon. Ditoka reiterated that this investment by the Coalition Government was part and parcel of its overall commitment to ensuring that Fijians residing in remote rural and maritime communities were equally included in the overall development priorities of the Government.
