The Ministry was part of the Honourable Prime Minister’s official tour of the Koro Islands. During the official tour, MSME Fiji through the Honourable Prime Minister officially handed-over two new fiberglass boats with engines and solar-powered freezers worth over $54,000 to the fishermen in the communities of Navaga and Namacu.
The assistance was well received by the community as the rebirth of Koro Island, four and a half years after Tropical Cyclone Winston flattened nearly every structure on the island.
“It takes a long time to rebuild when you build back better, and build back better we have. We are building back stronger. We are building back with the determination to be fully prepared for whatever nature may bring us—and not just to prevail after the next storm, but to emerge from it stronger than ever” stated the Hon. Prime Minister.
The assistance will make available consistent storage of fish for villagers involved in fishing through the “Koro Fishermen and Farmers Cooperative” and will reinforce reduced amount of wastage of seafood and promote greater food security for the community. In addition, the new fiberglass boats will support the transportation of fish, crops and handicraft supplied by cooperative members to be sold in Suva.
The Chairman of the “Koro Fishermen and Farmers Cooperative” Mr. Sulio Tunoka said the villagers of Navaga and Namacu are extremely grateful to the Fijian Government and the Ministry for the assistance that will benefit the fishermen and farmers on Koro Island.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the Lomaiviti Provincial Council Chairman, Mr. Joji Qaranivalu that such assistance act as a reassurance of the Fijian Government towards boosting the livelihood of villagers on Koro Island.
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