With support from the World Bank, the Coalition Government is not just utilizing resources but is actively investing in the future of the people of Vanua Levu. This message was conveyed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the official launch of the “Na Vualiku Program” at the Wasawasa Lodge in Savusavu last night.
World Bank Fiji Country Manager, Mr. Stephano Mocci, attended the launch alongside several cabinet ministers, including Viliame Gavoka, the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sakiasi Ditoka, the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Maciu Katamotu, the Minister for Local Government, Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment Productivity and Industrial Relations, and Ifereimi Vasu, the Minister for iTaukei Affairs.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation for leading this transformative initiative’s implementation. He noted that in the past 18 to 20 months, more than 10 companies have invested in projects within Vanua Levu, as highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad.
The World Bank is set to invest $400 million over the next decade to support economic growth in the Northern Division. This commitment underscores the government’s dedication to fostering an investor-friendly environment through the development of transparent and consultative policies, which are essential for infrastructure and other supportive activities that will significantly enhance the economy in Vanua Levu.
The government aims to uplift the economy, the people, and the future through a comprehensive strategy. According to statistics, half of Fiji’s population now resides in urban areas, indicating a rising trend in rural-urban migration, a challenge faced globally.
Efforts to tackle these issues hinge on what the government, as a development partner, can offer to the people. With a youthful demographic—over half of citizens are under 30—and 63% of the Northern Division’s population falling within the productive age range of 15 to 64, there is significant potential to leverage the region’s abundant natural resources and workforce for growth and development.