March 12, 2013

PM: I’m here to listen

March 12, 2013 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
By JOELENE TUIMOALA

“Unlike previous governments, we keep our promises. We deliver.”

These were the words of Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to the people of Bua when he officially opened their new nursing station yesterday.

“I’m here to listen to your concerns and to see the progress being made in the Government’s programme to deliver better services to ordinary Fijians.

This is our most important task – to not just promise better access to electricity, clean water, roads and government services but provide them,” Commodore Bainimarama told the people in Bua yesterday.

He said nothing was more important than the provision of health and physical wellbeing for all Fijians.

The new nursing station will serve close to 13,000 people who make up the seven villages of Bua district as well as the 16 other settlements and four schools.

Commodore Bainimarama urged them to take ownership of their health facility.

“My fellow Fijians, this is your nursing station. Use it well.

I urge you to come here at the first sign of illness and before it gets serious.

Of course, prevention is better than cure and I also urge the local community to work with the nurses and other government agencies to promote healthier lifestyles on the part of our people,” Commodore Bainimarama added.

Luke Vukivuki, of Navunievu Village, said the new station took away a heavy burden from his fellow villagers since a trip to the old station meant forking out $30 one way.

“This is a big relief for us and we thank the Government for looking into our plight. For the past 30 years, we have been struggling to take our sick to the station as it is located far away from the people.

It’s not just that. After people are treated they will have to walk all the way back to the village again or hire a carrier for $30, which is very difficult for us,” Mr Vukivuki said.

The relocation of this nursing station to its present location cost the Government about $250,000, which includes the building itself, a new fully furnished nurse’s quarters, a generator and a solar power system.

The new nursing station is near Bua Lomanikoro, the chiefly village of the province, and caters for the villages of Bua, Navunievu, Koroinasolo, Tiliva, Nawailevu, Dalomo and Waitabu.

No comments: