Residents of the Wailailai Melanesia community on Ovalau celebrated the official opening of a new access road last Friday, a milestone improvement in their transport infrastructure. For over 40 years, locals faced the dilemma of having to unload groceries and luggage far from their homes, as no appropriate road enabled vehicle access.
The construction of this new concrete access road, funded by a $22,000 investment from the Office of the Prime Minister, is expected to solve this long-standing problem. The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna, noted that the road symbolizes a new chapter for the Wailailai Melanesia community, which is comprised of descendants of Melanesians from Solomon Islands.
Mr. Tubuna expressed his pride for the community’s resilience and commitment to completing this project and encouraged other villages to take inspiration from their unity. He highlighted the hardships the community had endured due to the inadequacy of their transportation options, which often required residents to trek uphill with heavy items.
“Today marks the end of that struggle. Your Government is dedicated to supporting all Fijians, no matter their background,” Mr. Tubuna affirmed.
This initiative not only heralds better access to essential services and goods for the community but serves as a testament to the power of resilience and community action. The hopeful atmosphere surrounding the opening reflects a brighter future for Wailailai’s residents, who can now celebrate improved connectivity and convenience in their daily lives.
Overall, this development represents an empowering step for the Wailailai community, showcasing the impact of public investment in enhancing quality of life.
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