NAITASIRI Province has been left out of Government plans to expand internet services through Starlink, through phase one of the Government’s Universal Service Scheme (USS).
This was revealed at the Naitasiri Provincial Council meeting this week after Naboubuco district representative Ratu Aporosa Navakaroko said the lack of network connectivity was a hindrance to development and progress in most areas within the province.
“One major issue affecting this area is communications. You will notice there is no phone signal here (Nasoqo Village) at all,” Mr Navakaroko said.
“Connectivity is extremely difficult.
“These days, many education programs and services are delivered online and this community wants to be able to progress in that direction.”
Mr Navakaroko said land had already been given for a tower to be built.
“This particular hilltop has been set aside by landowners to house a tower, but nothing has been done so far by any of the network service providers.”
In response, Assistant Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said Government has announced the rolling out of Starlink-based communications solutions to selected sites around Fiji.
However, he said Naitasiri was not on the list.
“Regarding the telecommunications or telephone services, please bear with us, because it seems Parliament has already allocated the areas where Starlink would be provided,” Mr Immanuel said.
“However, none of the villages in Naitasiri are on the list of locations where this service is to be rolled out.
“It was mentioned that the list is an old one that has simply been followed because it was already gazetted.”
Mr Immanuel told the council that despite the setback, there were options to improve connectivity in the short term.
“There are still ways to get a Starlink unit while waiting for the bigger telecommunications companies to install their infrastructure.
“The good thing is that Starlink is quite simple to set up and can help provide connectivity in the short term.
“Simply write to government offices, provide your quotations and fulfill other requirements.”
Calls to set up a PWD depot
WAIMA district representative Ratu Taniela Rasauturaga has urged the Government to establish a Public Works Department depot in Vunidawa to lessen the challenges faced by workers who travel long distances to conduct work within Naitasiri Province.
He said the workers currently commute from town areas and often arrive at their worksite by midday, limiting the hours of work on essential road maintenance.
“We are requesting that a PWD depot be established in Vunidawa,” Mr Rasauturaga said.
“Those who travel to work there often arrive by 12pm.
They work for a short period and then return home, even though they are paid for their work.”
He said a landowner has offered a parcel of land for the construction of the depot.
“I hope this message reaches the managers at PWD so that they know that we’re happy and ready to help. I also hope this assistance will help make services more accessible for our communities in Naitasiri.”
Currently, work is being conducted along roads in the province.
Police issues raised at meet
THE dilapidated state of the Vunidawa police barracks in Naitasiri has once again been raised by Waima district representative Ratu Taniela Rasauturaga.
Mr Rasauturaga had raised the issue with former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the Naitasiri rovincial Council meeting in 2022, while Josefa Seli, the spokesman for the Turaga na Taukei ni Waluvu, also brought it up in a 2023 meeting with former Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua.
Reintroducing the issue this week, Mr Rasauturga said the condition of the barracks had left community leaders saddened.
“We invite you to visit and see the living conditions of our young officers who serve the people of Naitasiri,” Mr Rasauturaga said.
“Please come inside the compound and see for yourself. It no longer resembles what it used to be and, right now, it is in a very poor state. It saddens me deeply.”\
He said it felt like the “police station in Vunidawa has been forgotten”.
“There is also a challenge faced by the police in Vunidawa regarding their operations within the province. At present, they only have one vehicle. We are requesting that an additional vehicle be provided to the Vunidawa police, considering the large area they cover.
He also raised concern over the Social Welfare office in Vunidawa, which serves the entire province.
“Many people travel there to be assisted — whether to request a letter or for other services — but are often told to come back on another day because of issues with the office equipment.
