- MINISTER CHALLENGES WOMEN TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE – Women at the Nakasi Hart were today congratulated by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rosy Sofia Akbar for completing the Fiji Girl Guides Empowerment Workshop.
- LTA OFFICIALS REMINDED TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY – Officials from the Land Transport Authority were today reminded on the importance of their role in delivering services to the members of the public.
- TEACHER GRADUATES TO ASSIST NSAAC – Ten teacher graduates have undergone a three-week training program to facilitate their assistance with the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council’s (NSAAC) community and school based awareness and educational programs.
4. 1ST FORUM ON NSC FOR EMERGENCY WATER RESPONSE CONVENED – The National Steering Committee on Emergency Water Response to the prolonged dry spell currently affecting most part of Fiji was convened today.
- MINISTER CHALLENGES WOMEN TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE
Women at the Nakasi Hart were today congratulated by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rosy Sofia Akbar for completing the Fiji Girl Guides Empowerment Workshop.
Minister Akbar while closing the empowerment workshop reiterated government’s efforts in empowering women to become agents of change in their communities.
“I believe women are agents of change and within such a politically enabling environment, together we have a real opportunity to build a generation of women who will take pride in tilling the land and working with our abundant natural resources.
She challenged the women present at today’s event to take the skills learnt from the three-week training to greater heights for their families and nation as a whole.
“Imagine with your skills and your hard work and your determination, what greater heights you can push your families to”, the Minister told participants at guests.
Today’s event saw her pledge the ministry’s continued partnership support to the Fiji Girl Guides Association.
The Fiji Girl Guides Association (FGGA) president, Dr Akanisi Kedrayate expressed her appreciation to the ministry for funding the empowerment workshop where the women were able to learn tailoring skills using the sewing machines that were donated by the ministry.
“We are grateful for the continued support and the FGGA is proud that we can reach out to the community and be part of governments’ plan to help the needy and the marginalised and also the young girls to come in for trainings that we can offer.
Ms. Susana Espaar, a widow and participant at this income generating project workshop thanked both the Fijian Government and the Fiji Girl Guides Association for organizing the event.
“I am thankful for the chance to perfect my tailoring skills and being the soul bread winner and providing for my children’s daily needs, I am now rest assured that there is another avenue for me to earn a living.
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- LTA OFFICIALS REMINDED TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY
Officials from the Land Transport Authority were today reminded on the importance of their role in delivering services to the members of the public.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Pio Tikoduadua said the LTA needs to provide a safe, efficient, customer focused, economical, sustainable and environmentally friendly land transport system for the nation. He pointed out the need for the transport body to continuously work in partnership with relevant stakeholders including the government and transport organisations.
“We need to change the perception of the people towards the organisation which is providing the best service and being customer focused when delivering the services,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
“We need to work together to ensure that the organisation will operate effectively for all Fijians,” he said.
The Minister visited the LTA office in Valelevu today on a familiarisation tour. Here he highlighted that there will be changes within the organisation to improve services to the public.
With efforts to improve land transportation and ensuring road safety is enhanced, Mr Tikoduadua is confident that the organisation will continue to improve their services to Fijians.
The Minister also visited the Maritime and Safety Authority of Fiji today where he was updated by senior officials on the progress of the organisation’s capital projects.
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- TEACHER GRADUATES TO ASSIST NSAAC
Ten teacher graduates have undergone a three-week training program to facilitate their assistance with the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council’s (NSAAC) community and school based awareness and educational programs.
These programs by the NSAAC address critical social issues such as HIV/AIDS education, alcohol and substance abuse, child abuse, violence against girls and women and lifestyle diseases.
Public Service permanent secretary Parmesh Chand officiated as Chief Guest at the closing of the workshop that was held in Nadave, Tailevu, confirmed that this training and dispatch of the graduates, was a first of its kind.
“This is a new area for the Ministry of Education and PSC and our intention is to reach out to rural communities through district education and administrative officers…”
Mr Chand also said that the NSAAC Volunteer program would continue with PSC and FVS willing and able to recruit more graduate volunteers should the need arise.
Mr Mohenesh Singh, a teacher graduate from Nadi, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Education and PSC for facilitating the NSAAC/PSC Volunteer program.
“This program is a great opportunity to learn new ideas and share my skills to help resolve a lot of the issues that our society faces. FVS has engaged us as young people with a lot of energy to contribute our time, skills and energy on very worthy causes.”
The graduate teachers will be dispatched on Monday to various schools around Fiji, including Central College Lautoka, Lomary Secondary School, Nakauvadra High School and Suva Grammar School
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- 1ST FORUM ON NSC FOR EMERGENCY WATER RESPONSE CONVENED
The National Steering Committee on Emergency Water Response to the prolonged dry spell currently affecting most part of Fiji was convened today.
The meeting was chaired by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management permanent secretary Mr Filipe Alifereti.
He reminded the forum on the need to work together in order to respond effectively to the need of those communities affected.
“We will need to pull our resources together and respond collectively. This is important in minimising risks on the national economy, agricultural production and on the health and education of the people, among other things.
“Our priority right now is to ensure that schools affected continue to open as students prepare to sit for their external exams,” Mr Alifereti emphasised.
The forum also deliberated on the need to look at long term solutions and how best resources could be utilised as people affected by the dry spell continue to increase.
Furthermore, Mr Alifereti urged the forum to also plan for the worst case scenario should the dry spell continue.
The Director National Disaster Management, Mr Manasa Tagicakibau also updated the forum on how the Ministry has been responding to the current dry spell.
“We continue to deliver water to affected communities, schools and government stations including the maritime islands,” Mr Tagicakibau said.
He further stated that the Ministry has already delivered 17,690,820 litres of water Fiji wide at a cost of $1,050,957.00. In the Central Division, 712,000 litres of water has been delivered; 11,244,650 litres in the Eastern Division; 2,152,000 litres in the Northern Division and 3,582,170 in the Western Division.
While there is still no sign of immediate relief, Mr Tagicakibau is calling on the public to use water wisely and to store water as rainfall was experienced in some parts of country yesterday and today.
The National Steering Committee on Emergency Water Response comprising of permanent secretaries was established to provide guidance, direction and resources to the Divisional Taskforce who is responsible for the carting of emergency water to affected communities.
Call Centre
The Ministry is also urging the public to call the following numbers should they need assistance in relation to the prolonged dry spell:
Northern Division – 828 3952
Savusavu Office – 885 0099
PA Bua’s Office – 883 6027
Western Division – 666 1800
Eastern Division – 331 3400
Central Division – 347 7000
National Emergency Operation Centre – 331 9250
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