The development and resilience of the rural and maritime areas is integral to the overall development and resilience of Fiji.
Divisional Planning Officer (DPO) North Setareki Dakuiboca said this while launching Live and Learn’s three-day profiling climate resilient communities program in Labasa this week.
He said the development of rural and maritime areas were core to transforming Fiji.
“It is important that rural and maritime development be planned in such a way that economic opportunities and the utilisation of natural resources are realised in a sustainable way,” the DPO North said.
“Information and knowledge are critical to our ability to continue to strengthen the resilience of all communities.”
Mr Dakuiboca said the profiling exercise would act as a compass and align rural development plans in support of Government’s priorities for all rural Fijians.
“The three thematic areas under this program are protection, restoration and maintenance of ecosystems and climate resilient food systems and preparedness to intensified natural hazards.
“These are worthwhile investments that are pre-requisites for an integrated approach to provide effective deliverable processes that promise efficiency and sustainability in communities.”
Participants at the training exercise included village headmen and advisory councillors from around Vanua Levu.
