The government has been called upon to provide support for Fijians residing in the most remote islands. Semi Koroilavesau, an Opposition Member of Parliament and former Minister for Fisheries, emphasized that these isolated island communities heavily rely on government-generated resources.
Mr. Koroilavesau pointed out that locations such as Yanuca, situated between Rabi and Taveuni, and Ono-i-Lau, the southeasternmost area including Vatoa, lack essential resources. He noted the challenges in agriculture, stating that there is insufficient land for cultivation. In terms of forestry, he remarked that growth is virtually nonexistent, as the terrain is predominantly rocky. The only potential for cultivation lies in the possibility of birds dropping sandalwood seeds.
He urged the government to allocate resources and assistance to the Minister for Fisheries in order to better support these isolated communities. Koroilavesau highlighted that the islanders primarily depend on marine resources as their main source of income.