The multi cargo vessel is testament of Government’s commitment to further develop rural dwellers by opening up access to economic opportunities and fits in well with the rural and outer islands development programs.
Nanhua High Speed Engineering Company of Wuhan City started construction of the $4million Fijian vessel last year under Chinese government direct grant.
Measuring 36.8m long and eight meters wide, the vessel that was designed to international maritime standards by Changjing Ship Design, has a storage capacity of 50 tonnes of cargo with nine passengers on board.
The vessel will be operated by the Department of Fisheries. Development Cooperation Facilitation Division deputy secretary Eliki Bomani said the vessel was designed to carry fisheries produce from islands around Fiji for markets on the mainland.
“This resolves a common enough complaint about fishermen’s limited access to markets,” Mr Bomani said. “Or the market will be brought right to the doorstep of the islanders. It will provide markets for other fisheries commodities like seaweed and help the targets of the Department of Fisheries in promoting such economically empowering activities.”
Additionally, it will be used for deep sea exploration exercises and research work along the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “The vessel will also transport fisheries training facilities to the rural areas removing the need for islanders to travel long distances to receive training in Suva,” he said.
“Knowledge is an important driver of the economy so when those who use the sea receive training to improve their skills in acquiring fisheries products it helps develop the fisheries sector and that is an important role that this vessel will play. “So the Fijian Government is thankful to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for this assistance.”
A team of seamen from the Department of Fisheries have been in China for the past two months receiving training in manning the vessel. “The Chinese instructors will also sail with the vessel to Fiji next month and carry out further training with the local fisheries team before they hand over the vessel to local seamen to operate,” Mr Bomani said.
No:1522/MOI)
4 comments:
Nice boat. Real action to be applauded. Sad though that the convicted killer & PM brother in law Francis Kean will be ultimately in charge of it. No amount of new toys make up for nepotism and poor leadership at the top.
I thought it worth mentioning the AG's decision to stop government automaticly deducting union fees from salaries.
Despite the AG's claim this is about busting union power and strikes at the heart of unions - money for the leadership. The unions will have to each individual member and get them to sign a deduction form from their bank account...and then hope there is money there when the fortnightly deducion happens. As it is unions get paid first - before money arrives in peoples bank accounts.
I estimate the number of union members will more than half and that will have a massive impact on union leaders.
This is union busting and I wish the government all the best. Fiji unions ralerly talk to memebers and never work in for mutual benefit. There main aim is to mantain the rage and the only reason people join is as a safety blanket (in case they lose their job) or because they are told to !
Union busting yes. Good initiative YES YES YES.
Our PM speaks on corruption...
“In the past, Fiji has had too many corrupt officials, businessmen, lawyers, accountants and institutionalised corruption,” Commodore Bainimarama said.
“With the reforms the government is introducing it has flushed out and will continue to flush out malpractice and dishonesty by some of those holding high offices and positions of trust.”
but still no word or why Aiz was able to resign from FHL before the others where sacked. Why is FICAC involved. No word on why Teleni escaped to a china job despite his use of tax payer funds for his goverments church. No word on his own 'back pay' or the salaries of his ministers.
everytime the PM speaks he should talk about the "buts", "ifs" and "exceptions". His supporters, family and friends who his grand broard statements don't apply to.
Check Off is an exercise of the distant past in most developed and progressive nations. Why has it endured so long in Fiji? Is this laziness, ignorance or mere laxity? Or simply an antediluvian habit?
Collecting other people's money for them, unpaid and against one's own interest is plain stupid. Let the Unions collect their own dues and then maybe we shall have an idea of the genuine support they enjoy? They need to earn their support. Like respect, it must be garnered on merit.
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