Leaders urged to focus on projects - Rabi

[Stacey King]

Salaseini Vosamana
Thursday, September 08, 2011

THE Prime Minister's Office has assured fairness, transparency and accountable governance for all matters affecting the Banaban people of Rabi.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says this would be done by the Government which aims to create an enabling environment to allow people to maximise the use of their resources.

Speaking to villagers of Rabi yesterday, he said: "The administrative oversight of Rabi island and Banaban matters including financial management falls within my portfolio responsibilities and I am willing to assist in any way."

"I am happy to note that Government's efforts are increasingly being assisted and supplemented by community driven self-help programs and this really totals up to development programs on the island," he added.

"I request the Rabi Council of Leaders to take a leading role to ensure that the residents of Rabi benefit from development projects.

"We must encourage private and collective entrepreneurship to partake in plans so the people may live a normal life."

Commodore Bainimarama also urged the council to focus more on projects that met the people's basic needs in areas such as water supply, sanitation and hygiene.

"This is an enormous potential to grow the renewable sector available on the island," he said.