MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIJI NEWS SUMMARY 16/05/14 11:30AM

 

1. ROAD WORKS TO BEGIN AROUND ROTUMA – The people of Rotuma can soon expect to see the start of major road development works around the island.

2. UN COMMENDS FIJI FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS – The UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Under Secretary-General Mr Hervé Ladsous has commended Fiji military’s efforts in difficult peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa.

3. DREDGING OF OINAFA WHARF CONTINUES – Dredge works along the Oinafa Jetty in Rotuma is being carried out as planned.

4. JAPAN AND FIJI TO WORK TOGETHER – Fiji and Japan have committed to work together now and post elections.

1. ROAD WORKS TO BEGIN AROUND ROTUMA

The people of Rotuma can soon expect to see the start of major road development works around the island.

A team from the Fiji Roads Authority is currently on the island conducting the first stages of survey to determine the scope of work needed to be carried out.

The upgrading of roads around the island will enhance access for farmers to transport their commodities while also easing accessibility for school children.

During talanoa sessions with Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama, several villages on the island also requested for the upgrade of their farm roads.

Prime Minister Bainimarama informed farmers that they would be able to access assistance for farm road upgrades through their respective District Officers who are responsible for these types of developments on the island.

Major road capital projects are currently being carried out by the Fiji Roads Authority while upgrades to farm roads are the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management.

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2. UN COMMENDS FIJI FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

The UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Under Secretary-General Mr Hervé Ladsous has commended Fiji military’s efforts in difficult peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Brigadier General Tikoitoga in the company of Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, met USG Ladsous as part of a productive schedule of meetings at the United Nations in New York, which was concluded this week.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga assured USG Ladsous that he will convey the UN’s thanks to the Government of Fiji and to Fijian peacekeepers in the field.

The discussions at DPKO addressed peacekeeping resources that will be required for existing and future UN peacekeeping operations.

Discussions also covered the training and equipping of peacekeepers to properly prepare them for the increasingly complex task of peacekeeping.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga and Ambassador Thomson also held meetings with Director Antonella Caruso of the UN Department of Political Affairs to discuss conditions in the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), for which the RFMF provides the Guard Unit.

Discussions addressed the forthcoming rotations of personnel, visa requirements and welfare of Fiji’s personnel at UNAMI.

As part of the meetings, the RFMF Commander also met with other sections of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, along with Ambassadors and officials at the United Nations.

Brigadier General Tikoitoga left New York yesterday for a tour of Fiji’s UN peacekeeping operations in UNAMI, UNDOF, MFO (Sinai) and UNMISS (South Sudan).

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3. DREDGING OF OINAFA WHARF CONTINUES

Dredge works along the Oinafa Jetty in Rotuma is being carried out as planned.

This was confirmed by Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) chief executive officer, Neil Cook, who highlighted that a budget of $800,000 had been allocated for this project.

A team from the FRA is currently working at the Oinafa Jetty clearing sand and silt build up.

Mr Cook said the FRA is working towards ensuring that the people of Rotuma are provided with better facilities.

“We can’t have a facility that stops working and then the people of Rotuma do not have that service or it is a much reduced service, we take that seriously.

“It is quite a significant project and it’s been progressing well so far. It is a signal that we need to put more effort at the start of the design process such as bridges and jetties,” Mr Cook said.

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4. JAPAN AND FIJI TO WORK TOGETHER

Fiji and Japan have committed to work together now and post elections.

This was highlighted by the Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, Takuji Hanatani during a courtesy call to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola this week.

Mr Hanatani said the Government of Japan has welcomed the move by the Fijian Government to return the country to democracy.

He added that having a Constitution and General Elections clearly indicated Fiji’s commitment to returning to parliamentary democracy.

Mr Hanatani conveyed his government’s commitment to assist in the elections by sending a monitoring mission.

He added that the Japanese Government recognised Fiji’s lead role in regional developments.

Mr Hanatani also assured Ratu Inoke of Japan’s assistance in starting the Nadi flood control structure project in July.

Ratu Inoke thanked Mr Hanatani and the Japanese Government for the ongoing assistance they have accorded to Fiji with the hope that this diplomatic friendship between the two countries would continue post elections.

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