1. MOTORISTS CAUTIONED AS LAUTOKA CLOSES FLOODED ROADS – The Fiji Roads Authority is advising commuters and motorists that several roads in Lautoka city are currently flooded and closed.
2. $5.9M TO EMPOWER DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN – Government’s allocation of FJD$5.9million to assist in educational and social support for disadvantaged children will benefit 4000 recipients around the country.
3. GOVERNMENT URGES PUBLIC TO USE CONSULTATIONS TO ADDRESS PRESSING LANDS & MINERAL RESOURCES ISSUES – The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is urging the general public to utilise the public consultations that will be held in the Northern Division this week (27th – 30th May).
1 MOTORISTS CAUTIONED AS LAUTOKA CLOSES FLOODED ROADS
The Fiji Roads Authority is advising commuters and motorists that several roads in Lautoka city are currently flooded and closed to traffic.
The authority is urging motorists and commuters to take caution when travelling through and around Lautoka.
Roads that are affected include the following:
§ Dhanus Rd – Saru Bridge (St Thomas) which is 600mm underwater and currently closed to all traffic.
§ The Saru Back Road is currently under 300mm of water. This road is only accessible to large vehicles such as four wheel drive vehicles
§ Lautoka Depot at Queens Rd – Navutu Flat (coming into Lautoka) culvert – water overflowing on the road but the road is currently open to all traffic
§ Dravuni Street is currently open to all traffic however the road is experiencing minimal flooding.
The Authority’s chief executive officer Mr Neil Cook said adverse weather conditions in the western division will affect ongoing roadworks taking place in Lautoka. However he added that works will continue once conditions improve.
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2 $5.9M TO EMPOWER DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN
Government’s allocation of FJD$5.9million to assist in educational and social support for disadvantaged children will benefit 4000 recipients around the country.
Provided through the Ministry of Social Welfare, the funds are channeled through the ‘Care and Protection Program’ which is a program designed to look at the challenges and recommendations for child welfare in the country.
Head of the Ministry, Dr Jiko Luveni says that her Ministry plays an important role in ensuring that children from disadvantaged families are provided equal opportunities for education and development.
“The assistance is provided through a monthly allowance to support children up to 18 years, particularly those who come from a single parent family, have a parent in prison, or have foster parents and guardians and also those underthe residential care in the institutional homes.
“The monthly allowance is provided to ensure that the education of children coming from underprivileged households is not compromised. Currently we have 4000 recipients assisted under this program and there is an increased budget of $5.9 million for this year’s program,” Dr Luveni said.
While the fund is provided for children through single parents or representatives, it is also provided for the funding of 9 approved Residential Homes in Fiji. This includes the Boys Centre, Dilkusha Home, St Christophers, Mahaffy Girls, Treasure Home, Veilomani Boys, Lomani Au Children’s Home, St Meena’s Home, and Homes of Hope. Currently there are 121 children living in these residential homes that are under state care.
“Parents should take all best possible measures to look after the welfare and care of their children. When a child is taken to the residential home it is the last resort. We want children to be with their families and when they come to the Residential Homes we prepare effective care plans so that they don’t lose out on the care they usually should be receiving at their own homes,” Dr Luveni said.
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3 GOVERNMENT URGES PUBLIC TO USE CONSULTATIONS TO ADDRESS PRESSING LANDS & MINERAL RESOURCES ISSUES
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources is urging the general public to use the public consultations that will be held in the Northern Division this week (27th – 30th May).
The Ministry’s permanent secretary Tevita Boseiwaqa said that the public should fully utilise this opportunity to address pressing issues of concern and queries regarding state land and foreshore leases.
“The Senior Management team from the Ministry of Lands’ headquarters and divisional surveyor Northern Office will be conducting a face to face public consultation with all its tenants and relevant stakeholders,” Boseiwaqa said.
Public consultations were held today at the Wainikoro government station.
Tomorrow, Ministry officials and stakeholders will be in Dreketi, the Taveuni Multicultural Center and the Women Resource Centre in Waiyevo.
Face to face consultations will also be held in Labasa on Wednesday at the Government Service Centre and will end on Thursday in Savusavu at the Provincial Administrator Cakaudrove’s Office.
The Ministry has held similar public consultations in the Central and Western Division.
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