The government has been called upon to provide support for Fijians residing on the most remote islands. Opposition MP and former Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau, emphasized that many communities on these isolated islands rely heavily on resources generated by the government.
He highlighted specific locations, such as Yanuca and the southeastern islands of Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa, noting the challenges faced by these communities. “There is essentially nothing there,” Mr. Koroilavesau stated. He pointed out that agricultural opportunities are severely limited, as the land is unsuitable for cultivation, and forestry prospects are virtually nonexistent due to rocky terrains. He mentioned that the only potential for planting might come from occasional sandalwood seeds dropped by birds.
Mr. Koroilavesau urged the government to allocate resources and offer assistance to the fisheries minister to better support these isolated communities. He pointed out that despite their struggles, islanders primarily depend on marine resources as their main source of income.