BY SAPT STAFF
MEMBER of Parliament for South Vella La Vella Constituency (SVC) in the Western Province invests Constituency Development Fund (CDF) on major cooperative projects to bring benefits not only to a handful of constituents but everyone in the constituency.
The investment can be seen at the constituency’s Growth Centre near Vonunu.
Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Lemech Tovavaki says construction of major projects like clinics, police station/post and staff houses are now in finishing stages.
He says the police station and staff housing project is expected to be completed in two months.
“Security is important in any development undertaking. Law and order (security) must be guaranteed at all times to make sure people (can) participate freely in economic activities,” Tovavaki says.
Speaking on income generating projects, he says work on Commodity Export Management Authority Vella Branch is on halt due to land issue which he believes a court case is pending.
On Fisheries, Tovavaki says the fishery centre will be a one-stop shop to produce and sell ice-cube.
“Fishermen can also store their products at the facility while awaiting market arrangements,” he explains.
“This fishery centre is envisioned to help our rural people especially fishermen and women who engage in fishing to generate income to support themselves and their families,” Tovavaki adds.
He continues to say that a wholesale will be established at the centre for interested small to medium business owners within the constituency to sell their products.
“The wholesale will be operating like a cooperative society where every business owner (store/trade owners) in the constituency will become members.
“Constituency office will have no say in this wholesale undertaking. It belongs to its members. We just facilitate the establishment and let the members take responsibility for its operation,” Tovavaki explains.
MRD Director of Governance Hickson George commends Kologeto for his incredible leadership and his constituency office staff for implementing the constituency’s vision.
He says Kologeto sets an example for other Members of Parliament on how to maximize government funding in order to bring maximum benefits that would touch people in the rural areas.
Hickson encourages Kologeto and his constituency staff to continue with the good work.
He also calls on constituents to support the constituency office in making sure important projects are delivered and established to help improve people’s livelihoods.
Director of Rural Development Division (RDD) Milfred Delemani shares similar sentiments saying investing CDF on tangible development is paramount going forward.
“This is how CDF should be utilized, especially on community projects, and I must commend Kologeto for his leadership and his constituency officers for taking on the challenge to deliver such life changing development that will contribute to the betterment of our rural people’s livelihood,” he says.
Projects under construction include; construction of two clinics; Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) buying centre; a fisheries centre; Copra buying and storage centre; coconut crushing mill facility; Police Post; wholesale/cooperative society centre; Piggery project and construction of two new police staff houses.
These projects are funded by CDF under the leadership of the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Vella La Vella Constituency Fredrick Kologeto who is also the current Minister for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).
He swung into action after his victory in the 2019 election hoping to decentralize services closer to his people by establishing a work plan that would encourage long-term benefits.
