A long-awaited initiative has commenced to construct a community event center in Vuci, Tailevu, aimed at providing a facility for the local residents, especially during adverse weather conditions. Joji Butadroka, the community development leader in Vuci, highlighted this development.
Butadroka spoke after a recent visit by the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, who announced new support during a provincial meeting held in Vuci earlier this week. The project had been under discussion since it was first brought up in 2009 and saw minimal progress until it resumed in 2012.
In the past year, the government has provided assistance under the “village improvement scheme,” aiding the efforts to complete the construction of the event center, with a total cost of $790,000.
According to Butadroka, this new center will be instrumental in helping residents protect themselves during times of bad weather, as they are situated near small rivers that can rise quickly. He emphasized that the center would serve as a refuge for all community members.
Vuci is home to 67 households, with around 300 residents. Butadroka noted, “Previously, during stormy weather, we had to seek shelter in the chief’s house, church buildings, or stay in the long houses; with this event center, we will have a proper place to enjoy and feel secure.”
He also mentioned that the event center will include facilities for basic health services (dispensary), a youth resource center, and a women’s resource center, ensuring all necessary support for the community.
The provincial meeting has endorsed the event center as an essential venue for local gatherings, and it is anticipated that it will serve various educational and community functions.