The government has been called upon to enhance the welfare of residents living in remote maritime islands. Opposition MP and former Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau highlighted that many isolated island communities rely heavily on the resources generated by the government.
He pointed to locations such as Yanuca, situated between Rabi and Taveuni, and Ono-i-Lau, which includes Vatoa in the southeast, stating that these areas are deficient in essential resources. “In terms of agriculture, they lack land for cultivation. In forestry, little grows on rocky terrain. The vegetative cover is mostly bushes, and the only potential for cultivation rests on the chance that birds may drop sandalwood seeds among the rocks,” Mr. Koroilavesau explained.
He urged the government to allocate resources and provide assistance to the Minister for Fisheries to support these isolated communities. According to him, the islanders have very few resources, relying primarily on sea-related activities for their income.