FULL Text of Statement Issued to media: The SODELPA Candidate nominee, Nirmal Singh, says they are shocked and saddened at the state of affairs in Vanua Levu. Nirmal and SODELPA Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa and other candidates recently visited Vanua Levu and had meetings and consultations with the people there. Our people are in immense hardship and are suffering. The “Look North Policy” of the government has failed to deliver. It is full of talk. We must “Walk our Talk” I thank the people of Vanua Levu for openly raising issues that seriously affects them and assure them that we will give immediate priority to bring relieve to our people. We seriously take your views and share your dilemma and we will incorporate your concerns and address these as it is your views and concerns that will reflect our manifesto. I am not at all surprised why so many of our people are moving away from northern division and settling into squatter settlements in Suva/ Nausori corridor. They have nothing going on for them there. Instead of spending millions in sustaining squatter settlements we will invest those funds in developing rural economy so that people do not move away from their settlements looking for better opportunities elsewhere. We must give back our town and city councils to our rate payers and empower our rate payers to elect their own representatives to city and town council. They should decide how the councils are run and they will prioritize the need for developments. We will provide all necessary support. We are shocked that Labasa Town does not have a proper fish market and our poor fishermen sell their catch from boats and along the river. This is unacceptable. We will work with the elected representatives of the council to ensure Labasa has a proper designated and hygienic fish market. We are also shocked that our investors and entrepreneurs do not have access to affordable commercial lots to operate their business or to start small and medium size businesses. We value our SME’s as they are the engine of growth and create employment at local level. One example in case is a small businessman who manufactures soap for the local market. He is frustrated that he cannot find an affordable commercial plot to establish and operate his business. This is unacceptable. We will pursue and develop affordable commercial lots for our SME’s and other entrepreneurs who are keen at developing the economy of Vanua Levu. We will explore the availability of state land or work closely with our landowners so that land is made available for business community on long term lease so that they can realize their dreams. This will be beneficial to both landowners and tenants. Our fishermen who support their families and local economy are concerned with high fees being charged for fishing license. We will provide relief to small time fishermen so that they can afford fishing license and support their families. This will be based on needs basis as those who operate on larger scale and do commercial fishing can afford a higher licensing fees. We must support our poor and underprivileged. The state of health services in Northern Division is pathetic. The whole administration of our medical services in north has collapsed. Our citizen have the right to proper health care services and we will review and upgrade the government hospitals and health centers throughout Vanua Levu so that they can have medical services with proper medicine and sufficient qualified health personnel. Patients traveling to Viti Levu for specialized medical treatment will be thing of past. I am told that our health service in North has deteriorated to unacceptable levels. This will no longer be tolerated and we will address this situation immediately. There should be proper and professional management of our health services in North and it should be easily accessible to all. Thousands of acres of land are lying idle. We will encourage agricultural activities not only to cater for domestic market but for export as well. To this end, we will work with the landowners so that surplus land is made available to those who seek to develop our agricultural sector. Both our landlords and tenant must benefit from each other. This will improve the quality of life for both parties. There is no justification for importation of products like milk from Viti Levu when Vana Levu can have its own dairy industry to cater for the needs of people there. We must provide support and incentive to our farmers to produce high quality agricultural products not only for local consumption but for export market as well. We will not visit places and give speeches and make promises. We believe in “Walking Our Talk” and delivering on our promises and address your concerns in close consultations with you. Let us assure the people of Vanua Levu that good days are coming. We have some very good, young and energetic people in Vanua Levu who will be a “Think-tank” for our government and we will take on their advice and act upon them. What Vanua Levu needs is new generation of leaders who can think and act outside the box for the interest of all our people. It is time we reach out to our grassroots people and listen to their grievances and address them accordingly. End of the day the government belongs to the people and it must always work in their interest. ENDS
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:00:20 +0000
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