Ministry Opens New Zealand-Funded Refurbished Warehouse

MEDIA RELEASE | December 9, 2021.

LABASA – Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu opened the Commissioner Northern Division’s refurbished warehouse at Vatunibale in Labasa yesterday.

The refurbishment was completed through funding support from the New Zealand Government’s Aid Programme following the devastations left behind by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in December 2020.

Speaking during the opening of the refurbished building, Minister Seruiratu conveyed Government’s appreciation to the New Zealand Government for “stepping in and assisting us with this upgrade”.

“The newly refurbished warehouse will enable the Ministry to safely store non-food items that are being prepositioned as part of our disaster preparedness. The prepositioning of such items is to assist in the timely distribution by the Divisional teams to affected families in the aftermath of a disaster,” Hon. Seruiratu said.

“The Ministry is prepositioning assets this week to fill up this warehouse, and similarly the Ministry has been prepositioning assets for the Western Division and Rotuma.  These movement of key assets would help us achieve our 100% readiness level for the current cyclone season.” In addressing guests at the opening ceremony, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Fiji Ms. Christine Conway said the assistance rendered by the NZ Government included repair works to the warehouse to enable prepositioning and disaster response and the rebuilding of a staff facility. She said the facility would provide a space for staff to eat, meet, support each other, and also look after their welfare during times of emergencies