CAPTION: Scouts from the Nadroga troops with their commendation certificates given by the Chief Scout.
1. FIRST CITIZEN HOLDS SCOUTS MEET AT GOVT HOUSE – The Fiji Scouts Association had their Annual General Meeting today at Government House chaired by the Chief Scout His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
2. TAVUA FAMILIES THANK GOVERNMENT FOR NEW HOMES – Two families in Tavua today thanked the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and government after receiving the keys to their new homes.
3. STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO REVIEW SUSTAINABILITY OF MARITIME SECTOR – Government will continue its decision to review the shipping fares and freights to ensure that the industry remains sustainable and viable.
1 FIRST CITIZEN HOLDS SCOUTS MEET AT GOVT HOUSE
The Fiji Scouts Association had their Annual General Meeting today at Government House chaired by the Chief Scout His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
Fiji’s scouting body is headed by His Excellency who presides over general matters raised during the meeting. The AGM is also an opportunity for scouting officials to present any new challenges or proposals to the First Citizen as Fiji’s Chief Scout.
“Water is going to be made available at the Scouts Camp in Colo i Suva, the Jean Marie Property needs to be repaired. Also the potential viability of the Scouts Headquarters needs to be looked into,” President Nailatikau said.
Fiji Scouts Deputy Chief Commissioner and Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal commended the young scouts “camporee” recently held in Ra.
“I must commend the 300 young scouts who attended the Camporee at Nukuloa in Ra, it is encouraging that our young scouts are trained to become good leaders of tomorrow,” Dr Lal said.
“We as leaders must strengthen our bond of friendship in order to lead the scouts in the right direction to become better citizen of Fiji,” Dr Lal said.
Fiji Scouts President Abay Nand said that Fiji Scouts has come a long way since it was formed in 1914 in Fiji.
“We are the pioneers of Scouting in the South Pacific we must give all our best to role model to other scouting countries in our region,” Nand said.
He commended the Ministry of Education for supporting scouting in Fiji which has resulted in more troops joining the association.
“Ministry of Educations support must be commended because it has increased the number of scouts in Fiji. At the same time it has challenge us to do more scouts training throughout the country,” Nand said.
After the AGM the Chief Scout presented 35 of his commendation awards to scouts leaders for their long service to the scouting body and for those that have shown outstanding commitment and service to scouts in their districts.
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2 TAVUA FAMILIES THANK GOVERNMENT FOR NEW HOMES
Two families in Tavua today thanked the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and government after receiving the keys to their new homes.
Their homes were destroyed by Hurricane Evan in December last year and were rebuilt through government’s rehabilitation assistance programs.
Utam Singh and Sunil Kumar of Maqere, Tavua said they could not thank government enough for coming to their aid after losing their homes.
“I would like to thank Mr Bainimarama and government for building my home,” said Mr Kumar who resides with his wife and three children.
“I work as a labourer and I could not afford to rebuild my home after the cyclone as I don’t earn enough and I never thought government will help my family but I thank them for our new home.”
“I want this government to continue because they have done a lot for Fiji.”
Tavua’s Government District Officer Ravuama Nagatalevu said government was adamant that all those who were affected would have their lives restored to normalcy. He said that this included the need for ordinary Fijians to have access to basic housing after the hurricane.
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3 STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO REVIEW SUSTAINABILITY OF MARITIME SECTOR
Government will continue its decision to review the shipping fares and freights to ensure that the industry remains sustainable and viable.
This was highlighted by the Ministry of Transport deputy secretary Mr Malakai Tadulala at a meeting held with maritime stakeholders in Suva this week.
Mr Tadulala pointed out the assistance packages provided by government to influence profit and growth within the martiti
“Government has provided a subsidy scheme to assist private operators in service the unprofitable routes so that they can cover their costs and also make some profits in terms of operations, costs like fuel and other things,” Mr Tadulala added.
Meanwhile a Shipping Freights and Fares Consultation will also be held in Nadi and Lautoka this week and later in Vanua Levu.
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