PM starts 10-day Northern tour

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has embarked on his first official tour of Vanua Levu this week after four months in office.

The 10-day visit will be throughout the three provinces of Bua, Cakaudrove, and Macuata and will also give the Prime Minister a chance to have a look at the projects and developments that have been going on in the Northern Division and also to try and evaluate ongoing programs.

Rabuka says he is looking forward to this tour, which will allow him to take stock of development projects in the northern division, commission new projects or launch completed projects and begin planning on what more remains to be done.

He says the Northern division holds a lot of growth potential, and the challenge will be on the People’s Coalition Government to harness these potentials and develop them by securing finance as well as providing the right environment for growth.

Rabuka’s tour will start with a briefing by divisional heads of government departments in the office of Commissioner Northern in Labasa today before he ventures on a road tour to inspect or commission government-funded projects.

These projects aim to strengthen climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, renewable energy and infrastructure development in local communities.

In addition to holding talanoa sessions with selected communities in Vanua Levu, Rabuka will also meet civil servants based in government stations in Nabouwalu, Savusavu and Waiyevo in Taveuni.

The tour also marks the commencement of the Vanua Levu Tourism Development Programme that the Coalition Government announced recently.

The development program funded by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) facility will drive the northern division’s tourism development plan with emphasis on destination development, investment infrastructure and essential services, an improved tourism-enabling environment and institutional coordination.