Caption: Women from the village of Naikawaga in the district of Namara in Tailevu with the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka following the handover of a boat and engine project to the members of the Tokatoka Nananu last week.

SUVA – Seven families from the Tokatoka Nananu in the village of Naikawaga in the district of Namara in Tailevuare optimistic that the provision of their new boat and engine would enable them to achieve plans they have set for their village.

The boat and engine was handed over to the members of their tokatoka by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka last week.

Tokatoka Nananu member Mr. Apakuki Takalaiyale commended Government for coming to their aid, saying the assistance was very much appreciated by the families who made up their tokatoka.

“One of the biggest challenge we used to face was the unavailability of a boat at our disposal, considering that we rely solely on the sea for our daily livelihoods. When Government lifted the ban on bech-de-mer, we made use of this opportunity and was able to collect our one third contribution to get this boat. Today we are happy that this has finally eventuated and we have received our new boat and engine. We hope to use this as a tokatoka to fish and generate income that would in turn support our individual families and the tokatoka,” Mr Takalaiyale said.

The project was made possible through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management’s Self- Help Programme under a cost-sharing basis with the members of the Tokatoka Nananu.

In handing over the project, Hon. Ditoka wished the families well in their plans and stated that Government hoped that they would continue to work together and support all developments carried out by Government with the intention of bringing about improved living standards and prosperity for the members of the Tokatoka Nananu.

“It is also the hope of Government that the provision of this new boat and engine will contribute towards raising living standards of families through socio-economic development, and also help you in meeting your obligations to the vanua and the church,” Hon. Ditoka said.

Caption: The boat and engine handed over by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka to the members of the Tokatoka Nananu at Naikawaga Village in Namara, Tailevu 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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