VILLAGERS of Veidrala in Nakorotubu, Ra, are prepared to build their own homes if Government could provide building equipment for the construction works.

Village headman Samisoni Toga said there was large pine available to them for the rebuilding process.

“All we need are chainsaws and a portable sawmill,” he said.

“We have the manpower.”

He said it would take long for Government’s rebuilding phase to reach Veidrala.

“We understand that Government is under a lot of pressure right now to help those that were affected during Winston.

“But we don’t want to wait around for that help to come.

“We know that some people whose homes were destroyed during Cyclone Evan just had their homes rebuilt last year.

“They waited for a long time for their new home.

“But for us we don’t want to wait for too long.

“We just need Government to give us the equipment.”

Villager Vilive Vasu said not many government officials had visited the village since Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“We hear that the Prime Minister stopped by at villages by the roadside and it’s a bit disappointing to hear that because we are also part of the Nakorotubu district.

“We are inviting the Prime Minister or even other ministers to visit us and to see for themselves what we are going through.

“We don’t want to be forgotten because we feel that is what is going to happen if we don’t keep asking for help.”

So far, the neighbouring villages of Saioko, Verevere and Nabukadra have been given a portable sawmill to help with their own construction works.