Prime Minister Honourable Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama  joined the 3rd Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) Battalion of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces on 20th Jun, 2020 whereby he participated in the planting of mangrove seedlings along the Nasese Seawall as part of the Infantry Week celebrations.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions the 3FIR personnel diverted their celebrations towards community-based activities.
The RFMF personnel earlier took time out to help clean the Samabula Senior Citizens Home and also handed over gifts to the Home of Compassion.
The mangrove planting initiative, which was led by the 3FIR’s Second in Command, Major Toni Nagauna, was also part of the week-long celebrations. More than 3000 mangroves were planted by the RFMF personnel.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said; “When we plant mangroves, we do more than add beauty to our coastal communities, we stave off the rising seas, we clean our air, and we create coastal ecosystems that can feed our people and support livelihoods for generations”.
“Climate change does not rest for COVID-19 and neither can we.”
The Head of Government also thanked the RFMF personnel for the wonderful climate action initiative which will, no doubt, benefit the present and future generation.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Infantry Day is an annual event observed by the RFMF to commemorate the life of the late Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Solomon Campaign.
The late Corporal Sukanaivalu- a personnel of the 3FIR, who was the only Fijian to have been awarded the Victoria Cross, died on June 23, 1944.