Using of kerosene lamps, candles and generators will be a thing of the past for the villagers of Koroivonu in Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka commissioned the village solar system.
Village Headman, Usenio Vuikau says they are very grateful to the government for hearing their plea, and now students can study in the comfort of their homes.
He says it has also brought new hope to the villagers as they can now use electrical appliances such as washing machine, TV and others.
He adds before this solar system, villagers used kerosene lamps, battery powered lights, candles and generators as a source of light, but now, each households have power in their homes.
For 83-year-old Teresia Tale, the installation of the solar panels was an emotional moment, bringing tears to her eyes as she recalled the struggles of relying on kerosene lamps and generators for light.
With the solar system now in place, Tale and her community can study, work, and hold meetings in the evenings without difficulty.
While commissioning the project, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized that it is the government's duty to provide such services to communities, and urged them to take the initiative in starting projects before seeking government support.
Rabuka will continue his tour of the North in Taveuni today.
