The Fijian Teachers Association Co-operative Thrift Limited has officially acquired a new excavator, a development set to significantly enhance housing, agricultural, and forestry projects for teachers and the communities around them. This essential piece of equipment was obtained through the Integrated Human Resources Development Programme, which involved a cost-sharing deal amounting to $233,805. Under this agreement, the Fijian government contributed $150,000, while the Co-operative itself provided $83,805.
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel emphasized that this initiative is in line with the government’s policy aimed at empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives, recognizing them as crucial drivers of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He stated, “The handover embodied the ministry’s promise of empowering communities to become commercially independent. By equipping enterprises such as the Fiji Teachers’ Association Cooperative, we build local capacity, stimulate rural development, and enhance Fiji’s production base.”
Iosefa Volau, chair of the board at FTACL, remarked on the importance of this development for the cooperative’s vision, noting, “Today is indeed a significant milestone for FECL. From our perspective, we see that you are handing to us not a machine but a key to unlock doors of unlimited opportunities to materialize our vision, excel for innovation, future-proofing, and soil survival.”
The investment is anticipated to save the Co-operative over $500,000 annually by diminishing its dependency on private contractors. Moreover, it is projected to create job opportunities, provide training, and boost economic activity, ultimately supporting the livelihoods of 72 individuals. Volau also mentioned plans to make the excavator available for hire to nearby communities, thereby extending its benefits beyond the cooperative’s members.
Established in 2018, FTACL operates as both a teachers’ cooperative and a multi-sector enterprise, with assets totaling $29.76 million that encompass teachers’ villages, agricultural developments, forestry sites, and commercial properties. The new excavator is expected to facilitate various projects, including land preparation, drainage enhancements, agricultural expansion, and sustainable timber operations, aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening service delivery within the region.
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