Caption: Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka hands over the new boat and engine to the members of Tokatoka Cobe from Naisisili Village in Nacula, Yasawa in Lautoka last week.

LAUTOKA – The provision of a new boat and engine for members of the Tokatoka Cobe of Naisisili Village in Nacula, Yasawa is expectedto provide a more reliable mode of transportation for more than 10 families who make up the Tokatoka.

The group received their brand new boat and engine from the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka in Lautoka last week.

The provision of the new boat and engine is intended to provide a more reliable mode of transportation, and also raise the living standards of the members of the Tokatoka Cobe through socio-economic development.

Tokatoka Cobe member Mr. Mosese Susu said the members of their Tokatoka were thankful to Government for this much anticipated assistance.

“In the island, our biggest challenge is not having a boat. We already have an avenue available to generate income, but we only used to face difficulties in getting our produce across for sale in the markets. Sometimes when we bring it across, a large sum of what we earn accounts for our transportation cost alone. Other times, we would ask for other villagers boats or hitch a ride on another boat at a cost,” Mr Takalaiyale said.

“But the provision of this new boat will greatly help us a lot in earning more to not only support our families, but also the village. We have plans to use this for fishing and the transportation of our produces to the market in Lautoka. We already plans for several projects to be implemented in the village and this investment by Government will drive our efforts in achieving this.”

Funded under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self-Help Programme (SHP), the project was completed at a cost of more than $20,000.

In handing over the project, Hon. Ditoka wished the villagers well in their goals and aspirations and continued to encourage the villagers to support Government’s efforts in carrying our development in our rural and maritime communities.

Caption: The new boat and engine handed over to the members of Tokatoka Cobe from Naisisili Village in Nacula, Yasawa in Lautoka last week.

-ENDS-

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management is responsible for implementing development strategies that bring Fijians living in rural and maritime regions the same level of access to essential services and economic opportunities as anywhere else in the country. We coordinate and implement the Fiji Government’s rural and maritime development initiatives with a mission to empower Fiji’s rural sector. We also spearhead disaster risk reduction initiatives at national and sub-national level including disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. We have offices for each of Fiji’s 14 provinces including Rotuma, leading the Fiji Government’s rural development and disaster risk management operations.

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For press enquiries: Aqela Susu, MRMDDM, Tel. +679 3216456/+679 9985670,

Email: aqela.susu@govnet.gov.fj/susuaqela@gmail.com