|
|
From Fiji Times Online (28 September 2017) REACH program a success in Rotuma By Alisi Vucago Acting vice principal of Rotuma High School Ilikena Tomasi said the government's initiative to better explain the policies and servicers that each department had to offer was commendable. "Equipping students with valuable information during sessions like this is important for them to not only better understand the issues that they face on a daily basis but will provide a guide for students to be aware of the issues that affect their safety and protection while in the school or in their communities," he said. Meanwhile director for Social Welfare Rupeni Fatiaki thanked the students and the teachers for participating in the educational awareness program as it allowed students to have access to information that is not made available easily because of their isolation. The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in partnership, The Legal Aid Commission, Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti - Discrimination Commission were part of the visiting team.
From Fiji Times Online (21 September 2017) Program takes State services to islanders By Vishaal Kumar Director of Social Welfare Rupeni Fatiaki is on the island leading a delegation from the Legal Aid Commission, Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Department of Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), working under the Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) program. Mr Fatiaki said such collaborations were a boost for the communities because it would provide economic and social benefits for the people of Rotuma. "There are some cases where we work very closely with the stakeholders that are here with us, especially Legal Aid Commission. It is a very sound and an effective collaboration that the communities must take advantage of because the services that are brought to them by the Government will mostly benefit them," he said. During the sessions, the Department of Social Welfare will distribute food vouchers for the recipients under the poverty benefit scheme (PBS) and the social pension scheme (SPS) allowance for citizens above 65 years. Currently, there are 34 recipients of PBS and 177 recipients of SPS on Rotuma. The team of six members will also provide their mandated services in the seven districts in Rotuma, covering all nearby villages that are under the jurisdiction of these districts. Another area where the department will look at is the provision of information to the communities about the new disability allowance that was allocated in the financial year 2017-2018. There will also be application forms provided to those villagers who need assistance from the Government. REACH is a program funded by the Government of Japan in partnership with the Fiji Government and UNDP. From Fiji Times Online (19 September 2017) Legal Aid extends its services to Rotuma By Alisi Vucago Leading the delegation was the Director of Social Welfare Rupeni Fatiaki who said the collaboration was a boost for the communities as it would provide economic and social benefits for the people of Rotuma. "There are some cases whereby we work very closely with the stakeholders that are here with us, especially Legal Aid Commission. It is a very sound and an effective collaboration that the communities must take advantage of because the services that are brought to them by the Government will mostly benefit them," said by Mr Fatiaki. During the sessions, the Department of Social Welfare will also be distributing the Food Vouchers for the recipients under the Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) and the Social Pension Scheme (SPS) Allowance for the elderly above the age of 65 years. Meanwhile there have been 34 Poverty Benefit Schemes recipients and 177 Social Pension Scheme recipients on Rotuma who have taken advantage of the visit by the Department of Women's visit to the island yesterday.
From Fiji Times Online (13 September 2017) Quality, efficiency top franchise requirements
By Siteri Sauvakacolo "GOVERNMENT usually emphasises quality and efficiency of services in its franchise shipping scheme." This was the response from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport regarding concerns raised by Goundar Shipping Services, which had ceased its franchise service to Rotuma in April. Goundar Shipping Services company director George Goundar said the way franchise services were awarded was quite unfair and there were a few matters that needed to be taken into consideration. "They should take a few matters into consideration like the size of the vessel, its capacity and capability but this is something they never take seriously," Mr Goundar said. "This was why we ceased services to Rotuma in April because what they gave us was just not enough considering that our boat was quite big and it catered for more than just passengers and cargoes but vehicles as well. "If they review rates, we will reconsider servicing the island again." He said the people on the island of Rotuma were suffering because irregular shipping services had forced them to travel on MV Brianna, which now caters for the island's monthly franchise run. The ministry said the emphasis on the current condition was on quality and efficiency of services, apart from other requirements such as vessel description, vessel capacity, company details such as directorship and shareholding. It said reviews were always done but every request could not be dealt with individually but holistically considering this was a scheme. The ministry had also undertaken a review for 2017 and the issues raised had been considered but this was subject to Cabinet's decision. According to the ministry, the request from Mr Goundar to review the rates was not justified with supporting data and financials, adding it was merely a blanket request. From Fiji Sun Online (13 September 2017) Military Engineers Work On Rotuma Hospital By Maika Bolatiki The group of 40 engineers from the Republic of Fiji Military (RFMF) Engineers now on Rotuma as part of the re-alignment of the role of the military to include human security. Apart from building the new double storey Rotuma, Hospital at Ahau, the military is also enhancing its role in community development partnership. Commanding Officer (CO) RFMF Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Semi Mocelutu, said the partnership ensured that they utilised their professional and technical potential to assist in community development. Yesterday Lieutenant-Colonel Mocelutu confirmed that the first phase including the mortuary and the administration block has been completed. He said the people of Rotuma had initially asked Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for the hospital and the military engineers have been tasked to carry out the work. “The 40 on Rotuma include electricians, plumbers and carpenters and we are given 12 months to complete this work and we’ll do it,” Mr Mocelutu said.
|
