From mid-January farmers on isolated volcanic Rotuma (population 2,800 and 390km NNW of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu) will trade directly with independent Tuvalu (pop.12,000 on nine atolls) nearly 300km further north. Click on map to enlarge. Some 400 Rotuma farmers, organized in 20 groups with 20 members each, are expected to generate $18,000 a month from their food exports. This new venture follows Rotuma being declared a port of entry and the provision of new port facilities by central government.
One can only wonder why this "regional development" initiative was not launched by the British when the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Rotuma and Fiji were colonies. And if not then, sometime earlier during the nearly 40 years since Fiji Independence. Full story.
Rotuma High Chief Gagaj Maraf says he is so overwhelmed with the government's development work undertaken on the island.
Gagaj Maraf says he thank the government with the initiative taken to develop Rotuma.
“Rather surprising we have never expected such a tremendous program to be done in Rotuma we thank the almighty god and the present government for the love that enable them to give Rotuma a very large development that is to show how the government cares.”
Gagaj Maraf adds the development has been long awaited.
“Many governments have gone and many things we have requested them this is my 27th year being a chief in Rotuma and I’ve been in the council for 27th year and I’ve been two times in the senate we have requested government with some of the developments in Rotuma but until then now we are lucky such things we were requesting the previous government which they could not afford to help Rotuma is now happening.”
Chief surprised with development
Radio Fiji report Rotuma High Chief Gagaj Maraf says he is so overwhelmed with the government's development work undertaken on the island.
Gagaj Maraf says he thank the government with the initiative taken to develop Rotuma.
“Rather surprising we have never expected such a tremendous program to be done in Rotuma we thank the almighty god and the present government for the love that enable them to give Rotuma a very large development that is to show how the government cares.”
Gagaj Maraf adds the development has been long awaited.
“Many governments have gone and many things we have requested them this is my 27th year being a chief in Rotuma and I’ve been in the council for 27th year and I’ve been two times in the senate we have requested government with some of the developments in Rotuma but until then now we are lucky such things we were requesting the previous government which they could not afford to help Rotuma is now happening.”
Micro-credit for informal sector economy
An initiative by the Bank of Baroda's new micro-finance service centre, was launched on Christmas Eve, with 20 Suva market wheelbarrow boys given credit to buy (and no longer rent) their own wheelbarrows. The service will be extended to other micro businesses including shoeshine boys, artisans and handicraft sellers. Bank CEO Rakesh Sharma said the scheme was an exciting one which had worked well in stimulating India's domestic economy. Full story.
New trading hours: stimulus to tourism
Retail and commercial trading hours for the whole of Fiji has been extended to 9pm daily.Cabinet has also set up two special zones, one in Suva and one in Nadi where shops can trade for 24 hours and nightclubs can sell liquor from 5pm to 5am. Restaurants and taverns can also sell liquor until 3am daily. It is expected the new hours will be of special advantage to tourists. Full story.
NLTB Review complete: part of the "roadmap"
The review of the Native Land Trust Board has been completed by land consultants from Australian and the UK and is currently with the General Manager Alipate Qetaki. Full story.
Confidence growing in Fiji's ICT sector
The recent visit by an ICT team from India comprising senior executives from three ICT companies is an indication of the growing confidence that investors have in Fiji’s ICT sector. Full story.
Traditional intellectual property rights
An Action Plan was launched at a Traditional Knowledge workshop in Nadi convened by the PI Forum Secretariat and World Intellectual Property Rights Organisation (WIPO) in late December. The Plan will protect Pacific traditional Knowledge (e.g., traditional plants, medical knowledge, arts, songs and dances) from misuse and misappropriation without any compensation to the owners of Traditional Knowledge. Full story.
Free textbooks distribution starts in remote Eastern Division
Head teachers from Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Lau and Rotuma have been advised to make the necessary arrangements for the collection and shipment of these books so that students receive their textbooks on Day 1 of Term 1, 2010.The teachers will establish an appropriate recording system for the books which are expected to have a lifespan of five years. Distribution in other Divisions will follow.
The initiative will assist economically disadvantaged families, and is a move that is targeted at providing free education for all students and at the same improve the quality of education in Fiji. All primary schools are expected to be assisted by 2011 before it is implemented for secondary schools in 2012. Full story.
Australia, New Zealand, China, France cyclone relief
The Australia and New Zealand governments have made a joint contribution of $56,000, and China $57,000, to the Fiji Red Cross to help with relief and recovery works following Cyclone Mick. Australia has also given A$100,000, New Zealand NZ$100,000 for other assistance. France has given $139,000 in cash and the equivalant of $292,000 for French naval aircraft based in New Caledonia for aerial support and assessment of areas damaged by Cyclone Mick. Full story. Damage costs haqve been estimated at $3.8m
An initiative by the Bank of Baroda's new micro-finance service centre, was launched on Christmas Eve, with 20 Suva market wheelbarrow boys given credit to buy (and no longer rent) their own wheelbarrows. The service will be extended to other micro businesses including shoeshine boys, artisans and handicraft sellers. Bank CEO Rakesh Sharma said the scheme was an exciting one which had worked well in stimulating India's domestic economy. Full story.
New trading hours: stimulus to tourism
Retail and commercial trading hours for the whole of Fiji has been extended to 9pm daily.Cabinet has also set up two special zones, one in Suva and one in Nadi where shops can trade for 24 hours and nightclubs can sell liquor from 5pm to 5am. Restaurants and taverns can also sell liquor until 3am daily. It is expected the new hours will be of special advantage to tourists. Full story.
NLTB Review complete: part of the "roadmap"
The review of the Native Land Trust Board has been completed by land consultants from Australian and the UK and is currently with the General Manager Alipate Qetaki. Full story.
Confidence growing in Fiji's ICT sector
The recent visit by an ICT team from India comprising senior executives from three ICT companies is an indication of the growing confidence that investors have in Fiji’s ICT sector. Full story.
Traditional intellectual property rights
An Action Plan was launched at a Traditional Knowledge workshop in Nadi convened by the PI Forum Secretariat and World Intellectual Property Rights Organisation (WIPO) in late December. The Plan will protect Pacific traditional Knowledge (e.g., traditional plants, medical knowledge, arts, songs and dances) from misuse and misappropriation without any compensation to the owners of Traditional Knowledge. Full story.
Free textbooks distribution starts in remote Eastern Division
Head teachers from Lomaiviti, Kadavu, Lau and Rotuma have been advised to make the necessary arrangements for the collection and shipment of these books so that students receive their textbooks on Day 1 of Term 1, 2010.The teachers will establish an appropriate recording system for the books which are expected to have a lifespan of five years. Distribution in other Divisions will follow.
The initiative will assist economically disadvantaged families, and is a move that is targeted at providing free education for all students and at the same improve the quality of education in Fiji. All primary schools are expected to be assisted by 2011 before it is implemented for secondary schools in 2012. Full story.
Australia, New Zealand, China, France cyclone relief
The Australia and New Zealand governments have made a joint contribution of $56,000, and China $57,000, to the Fiji Red Cross to help with relief and recovery works following Cyclone Mick. Australia has also given A$100,000, New Zealand NZ$100,000 for other assistance. France has given $139,000 in cash and the equivalant of $292,000 for French naval aircraft based in New Caledonia for aerial support and assessment of areas damaged by Cyclone Mick. Full story. Damage costs haqve been estimated at $3.8m
1 comment:
Rotuma's experience really says it all when it comes to the puzzling conundrum, at least for pro-democracy types, of why so many ordinary people in Fiji support the dictatorship. It's because so many parts of Fiji have, for so many years, been marginalised and ignored as successive democratically elected governments look after their own constituents. Frank Bainimarama's critics continually malign him as stupid. Yet he's had the sense to realise that the best way to win the battle for hearts and minds in Fiji is to deliver basic services to the people who need them most without fear or favour. Stories like this reinforce the utter folly of the Qarase Government in pursuing divisive policies like the Qoliqoli Bill while leaving vast tracts of the country neglected. If it takes a dictator to correct the mistakes of democrats, then no one should wonder why the attitude at village level will invariably be "so be it". Regional leaders like the preposterous Prime Minister of Niue wonder why there hasn't been a popular uprising in Fiji. They need look no further than the community leaders of Rotuma to discover the answer, nor of any other neglected outpost in Fiji. Finally, government for the people even if it's not by the people. At least it's a government of sorts. And I'd imagine many in the third world would be similarly grateful, even those in so-called democracies. Take PNG as an example in our region. Corruption, murder, rape, environmental pillage - all everyday realities for ordinary people. Democracy? Stick it up your laplap wantok! Give me benign dictatorship any day.
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