Sisters Merewalesi Lewamoge (left) and Salasaini Doalele during the traditional welcoming ceremony for MV Uluinabukelevu 1 at Port Mua-i-Walu yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR
By RANOBA BAOA
Despite continuing challenges faced in the shipping industry, the people of Kadavu can be rest assured of more frequent and committed shipping services from the new MV Uluinabukelevu I.
The acquisition of the vessel by the people of the tikina Nabukelevu in Kadavu is an example of their commitment towards economic development on the island.
The formal cere (appreciation ceremony) hosted by the women of Kadavu was conducted at Port Mua-i-Walu and the Returned Soldiers & Ex Servicemen of Fiji Association building at Walu Bay yesterday.
Valesasa Transportation Company the business arm of tikina Nabukelevu trust is the operator of the vessel.
Economic boost
Company managing director Ilaitia Caginavanua said the vessel will not only provide relief to the people of Kadavu but boost economic activities on the island.
“For many years, our tikina has been neglected from shipping services because there are only two main ports of entry to the island on the Northern end and Central side of the Island,” Mr Caginavanua said.
The two jetties are Kavala in the Northern end and Vunsea Centra side.
Mr Caginavanua said that the villagers have had to spend up to $300 to get to Vunisea.
“But with this they will now be able to even ship their produce to sell at the Suva market. Not only that but more building materials can be transported from Suva to the Kadavu resulting in increased economic activity.”
“The acquisition of the vessel was also due to the fact that it was agreed by members of the district to form a dependent trust to cater for the needs of the people instead of depending from Government.
“It’s high time iTaukei people stop the ‘dependency syndrome’ and that is exactly what we did.”
The company was able to secure a $429,000-loan from Merchant Finance while the rest was from fundraising initiatives from the villages.
Investment
The cost of the vessel initially was $360,000 while the modification cost $230,000.
“The vessel is originally a fishing boat and so in order to get approval from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji to service it as a passenger/cargo boat we had the ship modified at $230,000.”
Services
The vessel officially began services in May for once a week every Tuesday from Port Mau-i-Walu to Nabukelevu weekly.
It has just recently been given the green light to service the uneconomical areas under Govenment’s franchise scheme.
“We are thankful to Government for granting us the franchise scheme to service the outer islands of Kadavu.
“With the monthly scheme of $10,000 this will decrease our operational cost which is common for any normal shipping business.”
Soqosoqo Vaka Marama president Bulou Lavenia Yavala said: “On behalf of the women of Kadavu and the rest of Kadavu people we sincerely thank the people of Nabukelevu the ability to acquire a vessel that will not only benefit their tikina but also the entire island.”
Tikina Nabukelevu
In 2002, seeing the need to develop their district, the Tikina Nabukelevu comprises of 11 villages formed a legally binding trust.
The trust basically looks into the development needs of the 11 villages in terms of promoting health, education and above all, economic development.
From this a business arm of the trust was developed known as the Valesasa Transportation Company and since 2008 the company and the villages have been looking into ways to secure a vessel.
Finally in 2011, they managed to raise funds as well as secure a loan to fund the vessel.
The company Mr Caginavanua said will continue to invest in for the betterment of the tikina and island and are also in future looking at buying another vessel.