Protecting natural resources in Macuata will continue despite the impacts of STC Yasa, says Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Ratu Wiliame, Fiji’s Great Sea Reef community champion said his people, including those in the Qoliqoli Cokovata zone, remained committed to ensuring they sustainably protected their natural resources.
“Let me first acknowledge the strong and powerful stand we have taken after STC Yasa left scars that have affected our families along the coast from Udu to Dreketi and I have never felt so proud to be from Macuata for the very reason of the communities’ staunch resilience to rebuild,” he said.
“During my site inspections, I travelled along the coast and visited farms and villages in Seaqaqa where families were busy cleaning and repairing extensive damages to their farms and homes, even communities along the coast were busy with massive clean-up.”
With such a decision by the communities in Macuata, Ratu Wiliame called upon his people and community leaders to take action and rise above STC Yasa as Government relief and rehabilitation efforts continue.
“We have taken the lead to protect our marine resources through our resource community management plans and we must adjust ourselves to quickly return to normalcy.
All in all, we will continue with the same goals and vision since we are the new frontier,” he said.
On this issue, he said the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) would also roll out its relief and rehabilitation assistance next week to affected areas in Macuata.
