- WATER, HEALTH AND ROADS CONCERN FOR RARALEVU VILLAGERS – Water, Health and Road issues were some of the main concerns raised during the National Development Plan (NDP) consultations held at Raralevu village hall today.
- GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO VISIT NORTHERN LAU – Divisional Commissioner eastern Luke Moroivalu will be leading a team of government officials to islands in the Northern Lau group.
- AMBASSADOR SARAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL – H.E. Ambassador Deo Saran presented his credentials to H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, on Friday 17th July 2015.
- AMBASSADOR SARAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE KING OF NETHERLANDS – H. E Ambassador Deo Saran presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of Netherlands, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday, 8th July 2015.
- WATER, HEALTH AND ROADS CONCERN FOR RARALEVU VILLAGERS
Water, Health and Road issues were some of the main concerns raised during the National Development Plan (NDP) consultations held at Raralevu village hall today.
The Department of Strategic Planning and National Development visited Raralevu village after a request was made to the team by the village head.
A total of 30 residents attended the consultations and voiced their concerns on proper water meter, road upgrades and health dispensary.
The President of Raralevu village Women’s group, sixty-nine year old, Mere Halaiwalu said the village is in need of a dispensary to cater for the 790 population.
“The villagers of Raralevu and Namata village need a health dispensary as the nearest health centre in Nausori is a long wait for us. We have a trained nurse that uses the village hall to tend to the elderly and the sick. I would like to request to Government to look into these issues and include it in the National Development Plan,” Mrs Halaiwalu said.
Mrs Halaiwalu said that proper tar sealed road is also needed by the villagers to travel to town and nearby areas.
The Roko Tui Namata, Ratu Paula Halaiwalu said they were grateful to the NDP team for visiting the village and giving them an opportunity to have a one-on-one with the Government officials.
He added that the NDP consultations is of national importance and should be given priority by villagers.
The NDP team have covered a total of 224 meetings for the central division as of 18th July with a total population of 5,000 attending the consultations.
- GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO VISIT NORTHERN LAU
Divisional Commissioner eastern Luke Moroivalu will be leading a team of government officials to islands in the Northern Lau group.
The purpose of the tour is to take government services to the people living in maritime islands and to address needs of the people through consultations.
“Rural development is a high priority that included in Government’s development agenda,” Mr Moroivalu said.
“That is why we have placed a special emphasis on the provision of proper rural roads, electricity, water supply and income generating opportunities in the rural and maritime region.”
The team will be visiting Ono-i-Lau, Kabara, Oneata and Moala and some of the services that will be available to Fijians in these islands include the TIN letter registration, births and marriage registration amongst other things.
Mr Moroivalu adds the Maritime and Safety Authority of Fiji will be conducting awareness to local boat owners and the Water Authority of Fiji will also survey the various water sources that is already available.
“This trip will be a great opportunity for the people to raise their concerns to government officials and get first hand responses.”
- AMBASSADOR SARAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL
H.E. Ambassador Deo Saran presented his credentials to H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, on Friday 17th July 2015. Fiji was delighted with the full restoration of the bi-lateral relations between Fiji and the EU and will work closely with the European External Action Services to strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries, developing trade and development assistance.
Ambassador Saran highlighted the successful conclusion of the recent Fiji-EU High Level Political Dialogue and that Fiji will work with the EU on the implementation of the various aspects of the joint undertaking. Ambassador Saran also noted the successful convening of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Fiji.
Ambassador Saran stressed that climate change was critical and posed enormous challenges to Fiji. He expressed his appreciation to the EU for facing up to the moral challenge and taking a lead on climate change. Ambassador Saran underlined that Fiji had been in the forefront and will be working closely with the EU in the lead up to the Paris Summit. Ambassador Saran noted that the frequency of natural disasters faced by Fiji had increased in recent years and the country had to be proactive in addressing the adverse impact of disasters and taking actions for disaster risk management
President Tusk agreed that climate change was one most important planks of the EU cooperation and the EU feels very much alone as there was not sufficient evidence in terms of pragmatic actions being taken by many of the partners. He stressed that a lot had to be done in the lead up to the Paris Summit and understood the challenges of climate change for Fiji and the Pacific Island states.
President Tusk said that the EU was satisfied with the level of human rights protection in Fiji and stressed that the progress is critical for tourism and investment.
President Tusk assured Ambassador Saran of a healthy EU-Fiji cooperation.
- AMBASSADOR SARAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO THE KING OF NETHERLANDS
- E Ambassador Deo Saran presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of Netherlands, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday, 8th July 2015.
In presenting his credentials to His Majesty, Ambassador Saran conveyed the warm and best wishes of H.E. The President of the Republic of Fiji, the Government and the people of Fiji. Ambassador Saran also expressed Fiji’s desire to deepening our bilateral ties with the Kingdom of Netherlands.
In accepting the Letter of Credence, His Majesty reciprocated his warm and best wishes to H.E. The President of the Republic of Fiji, the Government and the people of Fiji. His Majesty also thanked Fiji for its long diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Netherlands and looked forward to strengthening and deepening its ties with the Republic of Fiji in the years to come.
Ambassador Saran was accompanied by First Secretary-Mesake Ledua and Personal Assistant-Naitoko Baleisuva who were also introduced to the King.