|
|
From Fiji Times (29 March 2023) Back in history: Islanders celebrate
Rotumans joyously celebrated their 100-year link with Britain and Fiji on May 14, 1981. According to an article in The Fiji Times on May 14, 1981, the island had its first patch of good weather towards the end of the week-long celebration. The report stated celebrations were restrained because of problems feeding and housing hundreds of guests on the isolated island 500 kilometres north of Viti Levu. During a day of cultural events at the Ahau Government Station, the then governor-general Ratu Sir George Cakobau, and the prime minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, spoke to the gathering. Ratu Sir George wished the people of Rotuma a prosperous and peaceful future. "The last 100 years have seen all manner of changes; some of them remembered with joy, some of them naturally with sadness. But the changes and developments we can expect our children and their children to experience will, I believe, be far more dramatic and challenging than anything that has gone before," he said. "I also believe, however, that our people will still draw on the tradition resilience of South Pacific islanders to meet these challenges and make for themselves a life worth living in a country that will continue to be acknowledged as an example of a successful multi-racial and independent nation." Ratu Sir George then read a message from the Queen. In her message, Her Majesty the Queen cited Rotuma's significant contribution to Fiji. Her Majesty's message read: "The decisions taken a century ago by the chiefs of Rotuma to join her destiny with Britain and again by their descendants in 1970, when Fiji became independent to remain part of the Fiji nation, were both based on trust and confidence. "I am glad that in both cases their decisions proved fruitful and have demonstrated their loyalty. "The people of Rotuma have demonstrated their loyalty, their skills and their talents in many different ways, and their contribution to the reputation that Fiji enjoys as a peaceful and progressive nation is a significant one. "I send to my people of Fiji, and in particular my people in Rotuma, my prayers and warmest good wishes for a most successful anniversary celebrations and a prosperous and peaceful future." Ratu Sir George unveiled a memorial plaque to mark the occasion, and this was followed later by dancing and other festivities. Reports from the island said the atmosphere was joyful with cultural events and the party mood continuing last night. The PM Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was due to leave the island on the day of the official ceremony while Ratu Sir George and the official party departed the next day. Meanwhile, the governor-general paid tribute to the hard work and creativity of the Rotuman people in opening the 1981 Rotuma Agricultural and Handicraft show. After traditional welcoming ceremonies at Ahau Government Station, Ratu Sir George later opened the exhibition which he described as appropriately placed in the vanguard of their program. "The produce of our country, whether it comes from the land, or is made by skilled hands, is the backbone of our culture and of our economy," Ratu Sir George said. The exhibits and displays, he said, were a tribute to the hard work and creativity of the people of Rotuma. That evening the prime minister hosted a reception in honour of the centenary celebrations on the island. From Fiji Village (25 March 2023)
By Alipate Narawa The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka gave his reassurance to the people of Rotuma of the Coalition Government's commitment to improving critical infrastructure such as roads in outer island communities, with the re-introduction of the Public Works Department. Gavoka reaffirmed to the people of Rotuma on enhanced air connectivity, especially to nearby islands. The official visit to Rotuma was part of the Government's plans to enhance the capacity of outer island airports with the potential for expansion in support of the tourism industry and other sectors. Gavoka assured the people of the facilitation of a special flight to Rotuma in support of the Rotuma Day celebrations and the Rotuma Women's Expo. The Fiji Airports Limited's ground team provided an update of the runway conditions and future plans for the airport building upgrade. Gavoka was accorded the traditional 'Mamasa' ceremony of welcome, receiving the blessings of the seven Chiefs and people of Rotuma. From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (24 March 2023) First Rotuma Women's Expo to be held in May By Sainiani Boila The Ministry of Women will undertake the first Rotuma Womens Expo in May this year. While visiting the island of Rotuma, Women's Minister Lynda Tabuya says the event will coincide with the Rotuma Day celebrations on May 13th. Tabuya says the women will be provided assistance with training workshops leading up to the women's expo.
The Ministry of Women will undertake the first Rotuma Womens Expo in May this year. While visiting the island of Rotuma, Women's Minister Lynda Tabuya says the event will coincide with the Rotuma Day celebrations on May 13th. Tabuya says the women will be provided assistance with training workshops leading up to the women's expo.
This was also an opportune time for Tabuya to touch base and familiarize herself with the issues faced on the ground and work out better solutions to make informed decisions on how best the Ministry can serve its clientele in the Island of Rotuma.
[Source: Ministry of Women , Children and Poverty Alleviation/ Facebook]
The Ministry looks forward to strengthening our engagements in the Island of Rotuma with the hopes of empowering their women, protecting their children and pursuing the interests of the most vulnerable. From Fiji Times (20 March 2023) State will take a more bottom-up approach – Minister Ditoka By Pauliasi Mateboto The Coalition Government will take a more bottom-up approach in progressing the projects on the island of Rotuma. This is according to Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Minister Sakiasi Ditoka, who recently toured the island visiting several ongoing government projects including the Rotuma Hospital. He said some projects that the Coalition Government believed could be improved needed "some hard thinking on how to shape those projects". "We will listen to the people and not impose on them what we think they need and that's the feedback that we got from this visit," he added. Mr Ditoka said he would reach out to authorities and line ministries as far as other development projects on the island was concerned. "I will certainly reach out to my fellow cabinet ministers and line ministries on some of the issues raised including the Oinafa jetty and probably develop together co-ordinated approach and thinking together and bringing resources. "A consultative approach so that we listen to the experts and make the decision and not operate on a midget reaction type of mode because that does not help anybody." Some of the project sites visited included the Rotuma Fuel Saver Solar System Project, Biosecurity Fumigation Chamber at Ahau, Rotuma High School and the New Rotuma Hospital. He handed over solar freezer project to Paptea and Pepjei and solar lighting systems for the evacuation centres at Paptea and Pepjei. He also visited the Oinafa jetty. From Fiji Times (18 March 2023) After 8 years and $7.5 million, hospital remains incomplete By Pauliasi Mateboto EIGHT years on and after the use of approximately $7.5 million of taxpayers' funds, the people of Rotuma still await the completion of the Rotuma Hospital. This was revealed by Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Minister Sakiasi Ditoka after his three-day tour of the Island. During his tour of the island, the minister noted several government projects have been delayed due to "top-down approaches" used by the previous administration. "As far as the development is concerned, we see a lot of it unfortunately might have been from a top-down approach in some circumstances can be beneficial, but in some circumstances it is probably not so beneficial," he added. "We have the hospital that is now eight years. It has taken eight years, but it is yet to be completed. It has cost us about $7.5 million. We are going to match the needs on the ground and the solution for those needs." Works in the hospital began in March 2015 with a team from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces contracted for the construction of the hospital. According to media reports from the time, approximately $4.6 million was allocated for the project by the FijiFirst government. The first phase of the construction was allocated $2.2 million as construction began with the building of the administration block, the hospital kitchen, and the mortuary. However, in an article by The Fiji Times on July 23, 2021, anomalies were detected by the Auditor-General in his 2019 Audit Report on General Administration Sector, the report stated that during phase two of the project RFMF engineers did not engage subcontractors "in an open and transparent manner". From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (4 March 2023) Rotuma Hospital under construction since 2017 By Sainiani Boila The Rotuma Hospital has been under construction for eight years costing taxpayers approximately $7.5million. This was highlighted by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka while touring the island of Rotuma. Ditoka says there is a need to fast-track such projects to help meet the needs of the Rotuman people. The construction of the new Rotuma Hospital began in September 2017 and Ditoka says it's crucial to visit these projects to gain an insight into what the delay had been in the development process and also to see ways in which the Ministry could assist. "I just want to see how the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development can help to get things moving along. Now at my level, I can go and speak to the Minister and maybe, our Cabinet members, especially the Honorable Minister to see how we can get this project completed so the people of Rotuma can be taken care of as far as medical programmes are concerned." Ditoka also visited the Rotuma Fuel Saver Solar System Project, the Biosecurity Fumigation Chamber at Ahau and Rotuma High School. He also handed over solar freezer project to Paptea and Pepjei and solar lighting systems for the evacuation centres at Paptea and Pepjei and also visited the Oinafa Jetty. From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (3 March 2023) Solar lights for Rotuma evacuation centres By Jale Daucakacaka 11 community evacuation centres in Rotuma have been boosted with the installation of solar lighting systems. In his remarks at the solar light handover, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka says the systems will ensure communities were provided electrification and proper lighting during and after a disaster. Ditoka acknowledged the support of the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Disaster Resilience Program in implementing the project. Pejpei villager Jeanmarie Tolo says the installation of solar lighting at the district community hall will greatly assist them during future disasters. She says previously, villagers had to seek refuge in the mountains without access to proper lighting. Paptea District School manager Harold Filipe says people had to rely on battery lights while billeted at the school hall during disasters. Meanwhile Ditoka says the solar light project is part of the National Disaster Management Office's intention to align its plans towards the government's objective of achieving 100 percent electricity generation through renewable energy sources by 2036. Ditoka also handed over a solar and freezer project to the villagers of Pepjei which was made possible through assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister at a cost of more than $30,000. From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (2 March 2023) Ditoka tours Rotuma By Apenisa Waqairadovu Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka visited Rotuma Island yesterday. He was accorded a traditional 'mamasa' welcome ceremony at Itumuta district and also had a meeting with the chiefs of Rotuma from the Seven Districts. This is Ditoka's first visit to the island of Rotuma in an official capacity.
The Minister also handed over solar projects at Itumuta district and is also expected to visit several development projects on the island.
|
