Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
I’m delighted to be here today to officially commission your connection to our national grid. While your communities were connected two years ago, and have been enjoying the benefits of reliable power for some time, I’m grateful you’ve insisted on having me here this afternoon to celebrate this mile-marker of progress.
This morning I thanked the people of Namoli for their cooperation during our lockdown of the Lautoka Confined Area, and throughout our nationwide response to crush Fiji’s COVID-19 outbreak – I extend that same “thank you” to each of you today. Together, we’ve led the world in beating this virus, an achievement that ranks among the proudest in Fijian history.
It’s a pleasure for me to see how your government’s over 340,000-dollar investment in this grid extension project is serving your communities. But it’s clear the greatest benefits of this development can’t be measured in dollars – they are immeasurable.
No government official is tasked with counting all of the hours your children have been able to study into the night, now that they live in an electrified community, nor any of the other intangible gains that are all making your communities better, more technologically-catered, safer, and more productive places to call home.
I look forward to seeing how this development continues to uplift the families of your community for years to come.
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you, and God Bless!