The Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou and senior Ministry officials were in Silana village, Dawasamu in Tailevu yesterday as they begin their visit to rural youth clubs in the Central division.
The Minister explained that the nation-wide visits will look at how Government can empower and develop young Fijians living especially those living in rural and maritime communities.
“So far we have visited close to 200 youth clubs in the western, northern and part of the eastern divisions,” said the minister to youth of Dawasamu district at Silana yesterday. There are more 2500 youth clubs registered with the ministry and these visits will also determine which clubs are active and those that are not,” the Minister said.
“This is our first visit in the central division as it is the biggest division in Fiji. We are yet to complete Tailevu and then we will visit Rewa, Seru-Namosi and Naitasiri provinces sometimes in the beginning of March,” Minister Tuitubou said.
As he met with the youth of Dawasamu, the Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensure that every Fijian is provided the opportunity to be assisted or to be empowered. Through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government will implement training and empowerment programs for Fijian youth living across the country.
“We are committed to visit all the youth around Fiji and hear their needs and will find ways and means to meet them thorough an integrated approach with other government departments”, the Minister told the youth of Dawasamu.
He was impressed with the work the youth clubs of Dawasamu district have been involved in especially in the daily activities and operation of their villages.
He urged the youth of the district to appreciate the presence of the elders in the village and “learn as much values from them as possible while they are still around and treasure our rich traditional customs and values.”
Village headman (Turaga ni koro) Meli Rabele said; “We are grateful for this opportunity to meet our minister. This is the first for any ministry to visit us with all its senior officials and bring to the grassroots level their services,” Rabele said.
The Minister was accompanied by his permanent secretary Mr Josefa Sania, the Ministry’s director for youth and sports Mr William Naisara and senior Ministry officials from the central division.
DEPTFO