Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he does not believe in a Fiji where services are an ocean away from the people who depend on them.
Bainimarama highlighted this at the commissioning of the $1.2 million Kavala Administration Office in Kadavu.
He says that he does not believe in a Fiji where Fijians in maritime communities have to pack their bags, board a ferry, and stay with friends and family or pay for a hotel on Viti Levu just to access government services.
Bainimarama says in this case for Kadavu, he does not believe one government station in Vunisea should serve all of Fiji’s fourth-largest island.
Bainimarama says while Suva grew and developed and while new services were welcomed by its residents, Kavala and much of Kadavu did not see that same pace of progress and for decades, the development of communities was an after-thought and never a priority.
The Prime Minister says those days are over.
Bainimarama says within this new station a new family can register a birth, Fijians can notify government of a loved one’s passing, or certify a new marriage.
He says in the first week of every month, a Social Welfare Officer will be stationed in Kadavu to distribute assistance to those who qualify.
Bainimarama says residents can also access justice of the peace services for the witnessing of documents and even of the service they are after is not offered there directly, this station will serve as Kavala’s contact point to the rest of the country like a central hub that taps into the full, nationwide network of government services. He says they are supporting local economies that can create and sustain livelihoods in Kavala, in Tavuki, Namuana, Narikoso, across Kadavu and in every corner of Fiji.
Bainimarama says as the Fijian economy has made historic strides, so has Kadavu and the island’s population has actually increased. He says even as it has endured devastating cyclones, its communities are building back better, adapting to the new normal of stronger storms due to climate change. Bainimarama says this year has been defined by the crushing economic challenge of COVID-19 and even so, they are marking victories like this new government station. He says through this challenge, through the economic comeback on the horizon, and through the years to come, the commitment to Kavala and Kadavu will never falter.
