Navua Town Status Brings Greater Responsibility and New Opportunities
FIJI NEWS
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Navua’s declaration as a town is not only recognition of its long history and contribution to Fiji, but also the beginning of greater responsibilities for its leaders, businesses and residents.
Speaking at the official declaration ceremony today, Rabuka said the milestone was the result of generations of hard work, resilience and determination by the people of Navua.
He said Navua had made significant contributions to Fiji through agriculture, trade, education, sports and local business, and its new municipal status recognised the community’s growth and importance.
Rabuka said becoming a town would strengthen local governance and provide an opportunity to improve essential municipal services.
These include waste management, drainage, sanitation, roads, footpaths, street lighting, traffic management and public spaces.
The Prime Minister also stressed that proper town planning would be critical as Navua continued to expand.
He said future development must make adequate provision for housing, businesses, industries, public facilities and recreational spaces, while ensuring unplanned development did not place additional pressure on essential services.
Rabuka said town status also came with greater responsibility, stressing that the new municipality must be guided by good governance, sound financial management, effective planning, transparency and accountability.
He also highlighted the need to build Navua’s resilience against natural disasters.
The Prime Minister said the town must be better prepared for flooding, cyclones, heavy rainfall and other natural hazards through improved drainage, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, emergency preparedness and appropriate land-use planning.
Rabuka said the focus moving forward should be on improving services, supporting local businesses and farmers, creating opportunities for young people and developing a safer, more inclusive and resilient community.
Navua was officially declared a town today, marking a historic milestone after a journey towards municipal status spanning more than five decades.
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