New ice plant for Rabi Island fishermen

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online Salaseini Vosamana Thursday, March 15, 2012

TRAVELLING to Savusavu to buy ice will be a thing of the past for fishermen on Rabi Island in Vanua Levu after the Fisheries Department started work on a new ice plant in the area.

The plant is expected to be opened next month.

Principal fisheries officer northern Gerald Billings said the plant would greatly assist fishermen because they would not have to fork out money for boat and bus fares to buy ice in Savusavu.

"The 24-hour ice plant is the seventh of its kind to be set up in the north this year, which is a project of the government," Mr Billings said.

"Fishermen will not only have their ice supplies right on their doorsteps but they will also save extra money which is usually spent on their boat and bus fares.

"This is part of government's plans to improve the standard of living for people in outer islands," he said.

Rabi Island executive director Marlie Rota earlier said they were thankful for government's support.

"The ice plant will be a relief for us because the fishermen will store their catch in a safer place," Ms Rota said.

"They (fishermen) will also save money as they don't have to travel to Savusavu to buy ice."