Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Alitia Bainivalu, has taken significant steps to respond to the needs of communities in Ra Province. Following requests for support, she conducted site visits to the villages of Barotu, Rokoroko, and Maniyava, focusing on development and livelihood challenges faced by the residents.
During her visit, Bainivalu engaged with villagers, who articulated their needs for a nursery, fishing cooperative, fish warden training, and assistance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as women’s groups involved in aquaculture. The communities also emphasized the necessity for infrastructure improvements, including the establishment of multipurpose evacuation centers.
In a show of support, fishing nets were distributed to women’s groups in Barotu and Rokoroko to promote sustainable income generation. Furthermore, the Ministry team provided valuable information about key services, such as tree planting, chainsaw and nursery training, and aquaculture support.
This interaction highlights a continuous effort by Bainivalu to build stronger community-government ties and foster rural development initiatives, similar to previous engagements in other Ra Province settlements like Culanuku and Naqaqa. In those interactions, Bainivalu encouraged local participation and shared resources while addressing critical needs such as rural electrification and agricultural support.
The overarching goal of these initiatives is to promote community resilience and economic growth, exemplifying the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable development through the empowerment of local communities. With initiatives like these, there remains hope for improved livelihoods and a sustainable future for the residents of Ra Province.
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