The government has been requested to assist Fijians residing in the most remote islands.
Semi Koroilavesau, a Member of Parliament from the Opposition and former Minister for Fisheries, emphasized that communities on these isolated islands rely heavily on resources generated by the government.
He specifically mentioned areas like Yanuca, located between Rabi and Taveuni, as well as Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa, noting their lack of basic resources. “In terms of agriculture, they lack land for cultivation. Regarding forestry, the terrain is mainly rocky and barren. There are just shrubs, and if any birds happen to drop sandalwood seeds, that might be the only opportunity for cultivation,” Mr. Koroilavesau explained.
He urged the government to allocate resources and offer support to the Minister for Fisheries to aid these underserved communities. According to him, the islanders have minimal resources, relying primarily on the sea for their livelihoods.