MANY homes across the three villages on Mali Island now stand empty as families relocate to Labasa in search of better education and employment opportunities.
Tui Mali Ratu Apenisa Bogiso said the island’s population had steadily declined over the years as young people and their families moved to the mainland.
Ratu Apenisa said the migration was not driven by the lack of electricity or water but by the desire to access schools, jobs and improved services.
“There are not many people left. Many houses are now empty because families have moved away,” he said.
He said most families returned to the island during school holidays and special occasions to visit relatives and maintain their ties with the village.
“Despite these visits, the number of permanent residents continued to decrease, affecting daily village life and community activities.”
He said the trend showed the challenges faced by remote maritime communities where employment opportunities were limited.
“I hope that ongoing development projects and improved infrastructure would encourage more people to remain on the island or eventually return to live there.”
He said preserving the island’s communities was important to maintaining the traditions, culture and identity of the people of Mali.
