Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji

04/28/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2022 19:04

PM BAINIMARAMA OPENS CAKAUDROVE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING-(28-04-2022)

Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama at the Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting today highlighted that the Fijian Government had dedicated more than $79 million to improve conditions and make life better for the people of Lalagavesi from 2014 to 2021.

The Prime Minister, while officiating at the Council meeting at Yaroi Village, said that under the Northern Development Programme, Cakaudrove received more than $25 million in assistance.

"The government dedicated another sum of over $20 million to road construction and maintenance, we are continuing our drive to provide electricity for all rural communities and also to prioritize clean and renewable energy to help combat climate change," he said.

"So we have invested more than $8 million in rural electrification and solar projects here. We have spent more than $7 million on water and sanitation. Through Energy Fiji Limited, we spent over $2 million on grid extensions and we dedicated more than $3 million to provide more effective assistance to welfare recipients in Cakaudrove.

"We've connected more than 40 sites in Vanua Levu to internet access - installing satellite equipment in schools and nursing stations that allows our students, teachers, and healthcare workers to access information and connect with their fellow Fijians - communities can share that access as well. This sort of service is simply essential to ensure inclusion in the modern Fijian economy we're creating."

"As announced in the Revised National Budget last month, we will also be making $100 payments to eligible Fijians on Vanua Levu whose livelihoods were impacted by the pandemic and additional bonus payments of $50 to all social welfare recipients in Fiji. Those funds will disburse soon to give the North a boost and shield those most vulnerable as our recovery presses ahead."

The Head of Government also used the opportunity to clear the misunderstanding surrounding the issue of the iTaukei land and iTaukei people's rights.

"Let me address the subject of iTaukei land, because that has been the subject of a great deal of fear-mongering and outright falsehoods. ITaukei land ownership has never been more secure and more useful to its owners than it is today. Ownership has remained fully intact. Nothing has been taken, and nothing ever will be taken. That is your constitutional guarantee, which I am sworn to uphold. No previous constitution had such guarantees. Under past constitutions and past governments, iTaukei land was allowed to be converted and given away forever -- that can never happen again because we finally have a Fijian Constitution that makes that impossible."

"Today, landowners across the country are enjoying the "fair share" payment of royalties from the gravel and other mineral deposits on their land. No other Government administration did what we have now done regarding the royalties payment. Previously, royalties were paid exclusively to the state. When we came into government, we saw clearly that this had to change and so we changed it for the better by sharing the royalties. In fact, the bulk of the royalty monies now goes to the landowners."

The Prime Minister added that nothing can take away the rights of the landowners and the powers vested in the iTLTB for the management and administration of iTaukei land.

"The changes brought about by Act 21 have done nothing more than streamline the administrative processes of the iTLTB. These administrative processes in iTLTB were internal matters that never involved landowner input. This was always business between the lessee and the iTLTB. These changes make that business more efficient and attractive -- and that raises the value of iTaukei land and puts more lease money in your pockets."

At the same time, the Prime Minister encouraged the people of Cakaudrove to be optimistic that the Government of Fiji will always have the best intentions for the people.

"You need real unity that is based on shared values and principles. You need to be fair and just and you need to offer the people stability and consistency. I believe as surely as I am standing before you that the government has shown those qualities and the Fijian people are reaping the rewards.

"The mission to make Fiji better and stronger is never-ending, and so is the government's commitment. As always, I am here today to listen because the only thing that matters more than what we have achieved already is what we can do together next - for Cakaudrove together, for Fiji together".

The Prime Minister also officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cakaudrove Provincial Council office today.

*Full speech available on the Office of the Prime Minister website @www.pmoffice.gov.fj