Requests made by the people of Navua for a development plan to include a master plan that would raise living standards

Requests have been made to the government by the people of Navua for the 20-year national development plan to include the formulation of a master plan which would boost economic activity, and productivity and raise the living standards.

During the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics’ nationwide public consultation in the Central Division yesterday, market vendors and farmers in Navua requested the construction of a proper, safe and enclosed market facility to sell their produce and also the construction of a public convenience facility as currently there is none for the vendors to use.

Head of Strategic Planning Office within the Ministry Kamal Krishnan Gounder says on the other hand, the business community requested for better access to financial services, given that Navua business centre does not have any banks.

Gounder says for the meeting held at Nabukavesi, Lobau, Naimelimeli and Bilo, villagers requested the government to look at the drainage issues surrounding their area, as they are highly prone to floods.

He says the villagers also requested the government to consider undisrupted access to clean water, upgrade of footbridges, construction of Police Community Post, installation of streetlights, seawall and renovation of community halls that could serve as an evacuation centre in the next 3 years.

Gounder says these consultations serve as a crucial platform for community voices to be heard, informing the formulation of policies and strategies within the new National Development Plan.

He adds the Ministry acknowledges the valuable input from citizens across Fiji and reaffirms its commitment to addressing the identified priorities for sustainable and inclusive development.

A total of four consultation meetings were held yesterday in the Central Division as the Ministry met over 200 people.

The public consultation meetings will continue from tomorrow and 11 meetings are scheduled as follows:

Central Division (4 meetings) • Kalokolevu Village Hall - 9am to 11am • Muaivuso Village Hall - 9am to 11am • Qauia Village Hall - 3pm to 5pm • Lami Parish Hall - 6pm to 8pm

Western Division (3 meetings) • Korovuto, Nadi - 11am to 12pm • Yavuna Village, Nawaka – 2pm to 3pm • Mulomulo Primary School, Nawaka - 6pm to 7pm

Northern Division (4 meetings) • Nakawakawa Village Hall, Wainunu, Bua - 10am to 12pm • Nasavu Community Hall, Nadi, Bua - 10am to 12pm • Adi Eleni Primary School, Wainunu, Bua - 2pm to 4pm • Baravi Primary School, Nadi, Bua - 2pm to 4pm

For the Eastern Division, two (2) teams will be travelling to Koro and Gau on Sunday evening to have consultation meeting from 20 to 24 February 2024 in Koro and Gau while another team will travel to Kadavu on Tuesday afternoon and will have 10 to 12 meetings in Kadavu from 21 to 29 February.