Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) soldiers built a bridge across the Waidalice River to thank the people of Sote Village and surrounding communities in Tailevu for allowing their land to be used for training exercises.
Speaking to The Fiji Times after the handover of the bridge to the community, Captain Joeli Salusalu of the RFMF Territorial Force said while out conducting exercises, they would identify a need in the area they were in and implement a project to assist the community in that area.
“Whenever we go to a location for training, we identify a little project that could be of assistance to the people in the community and the landowners,” Cpt Salusalu said.
He said it was the first time such an exercise was done in the Sote area.
“For this one in particular, we surveyed the area and saw the women and children were crossing the river on a pontoon.
“The secondary school students from Sote Village cross the river here to catch a carrier which takes them to school in Korovou.
“They do this because it does not take as long as going the other way.”
Sote Village is connected to Nukurua Rd and Naitutu Sote Rd which connect to Kings Rd. A shelter to accommodate people waiting for transport was also constructed on the river bank opposite Sote Village.
Cpt Salusalu said the projects were also a way for the RFMF to strengthen its relationship with the vanua.
The bridge was opened by RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai.
