COMMODORE JOSAIA VOREQE BAINIMARAMA, CF(Mil), OStJ, MSD, jssc, psc

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Public Service, Peoples Charter for Change and Progress, Information, i-Taukei Affairs, Provincial Development, Sugar Industry and Lands and Mineral Resources

ADDRESS AT THE LAUNCH OF PHASE 18, TACIRUA EAST STAGE 2 HOUSING PROJECT

Tacirua East                                                                                      Fri. 11^th May, 2012

TACIRUA                                                                                          1000 Hours

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Cabinet Ministers;

His Excellency the Ambassador for the People’s Republic of China in Fiji, Mr Huang Yong;

Your Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Permanent Secretaries;

The Vice President of China Railway First Group, Mr. Wang Enhua and his Team;

Housing Authority Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors and Staff;

Invited Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ni sa bula vinaka and a very good morning.

Home ownership empowers people. It creates certainty. It gives dignity. It creates a society in which individuals and families can participate as equals. It gives opportunities to the young while giving security to our elderly. The increased rate of home ownership creates a robust economy. And it is a necessity for the collective good of our nation.

This is why my Government has focussed on providing affordable housing to all Fijians. This is why Ladies and Gentlemen my Government is focussed creating a governmental system that addresses the socio-economic needs of all Fijians. Years of neglect in the past due to no commitment to nation building and the absence of a long term vision meant that ordinary Fijians suffered while only a handful thrived.

This had to change and must continue to change. My Government is committed to improving the lives of all Fijians, in particular those on the margins. This morning’s launch of Phase 1B of the Tacirua East Stage 2 project is a manifestation of that commitment.

This project is also a collaboration between the iTaukei Lands Trust Board and the landowners of Mataqali Nawavatu of Kalabu Village, Naitasiri and the Housing Authority.

We encourage such collaboration where iTaukei lands are made available for such projects which will provide income for the landowners and at the same time contribute to improving the lives of others, generating jobs, and creating a robust economy through which all Fijians, including the landowners, will benefit.

My Government has provided further incentives to encourage home ownership in Fiji. We continue with the pricing regime for hardware items and encourage new retailers into the market; we have provided for a VAT refund scheme for the construction of new homes; we have allocated a grant provision for new home buyers and we have launched the National Housing Policy.

As part of this objective, other housing development projects under the banner of Housing Authority are under construction or at design stage throughout the country. Indeed the master agreement between Top Symphony and Housing Authority was signed this morning for the actual commencement of the construction of the Waila City project.

I acknowledge and thank the Chinese Government for their assistance and foresight to engage in this Tacirua East venture and other important projects.

I also acknowledge the China Railway First Group Limited, the developers of this project and the project in Raiwai.

Your input into these significant projects for our nation will further consolidate our partnership and friendship.

I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman of Housing Authority, his Board and Management for their efforts. We look forward to more successes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now have much pleasure in formally launching the Tacirua East Stage 2 Subdivision.

Vinaka vakalevu.

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