A collective agreement aimed at tackling marijuana cultivation in the Northern Division will soon be signed by key government agencies.
This week the Commissioner Northern announced that a Memorandum of Agreement will soon be signed by the iTaukei Affairs Board, the Police Forces, the Ministries of Agriculture and Youth and the Office of the Commissioner Northern.
Acting Commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu highlighted the importance of this latest venture to address drug cultivation and drug use in the North.
“We need to bring a program to replace drug cultivation and eradicate drug cultivation in Tunuloa, Naweni, Saqani, Tawake, Koroalau and Navatu in the Cakaudrove Province.”
Acting Divisional Youth officer Reshmi Lata informed Mr Boalevu that their office will be working closely with the other government stakeholders to help in the eradication of drugs in the Northern Division. She highlighted that during a recent visit by the Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou to the North, he advised the youth of Tunuloa and Natewa in Cakaudrove to refrain from marijuana cultivation.
She said the ministry is looking into providing training and awareness programs for these communities. She added that by doing this, villages, especially youth, will have access to information on alternative forms of income.
“We have to find a solution, an alternative to see how best we can get the youths and the people more involved in income generating projects and get them away from drug cultivation,” Mr Bolalevu added
DEPTFO