Opening Remarks
Honourable Ministers,
The Directors and Management of B Prasad & Sons Pte Ltd,
Representatives from the Navua business community, Government officials and local leaders present,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all !!
Let us first, acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nabukebuke, vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Namosi, and pay my respect to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders and acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be here today for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Service Station, Lube Bay, and Car Wash project here in Navua – a partnership between B. Prasad & Sons Pte Ltd and Total Energy Ltd.
From Humble Beginnings
Today, we are not only breaking ground for a new business facility – but we are also laying the foundation for convenience, opportunity, and economic growth for the people of Navua and the surrounding communities.
It is a symbol of confidence—confidence in our economy, in the people of Navua, and in the future of the private sector in Fiji.
A Symbol of Growth, Partnership and Progress
Prasad & Sons is a name that represents confidence and hard work, innovation, and resilience. From a small furniture shop in Toorak over three decades ago, the company has grown into one of Fiji’s leading manufacturers, producing quality furniture, building materials, and now expanding into property development and commercial investment.
This inspiring journey shows how vision, family values, and commitment can transform small beginnings into a success story. I am deeply encouraged to see local businesses like B Prasad & Sons investing in communities outside of our urban centres. This is precisely the kind of partnership that the Coalition Government is fostering—where the private sector plays an active role in national development, and where all Fijians—whether in Suva or Navua—share in the benefits of growth.
When local businesses grow, they create jobs, strengthen communities, and contribute directly to our shared prosperity. This is exactly what the Government’s National Development Plan 2025–2030 and Vision 2050 aim to achieve—a modern, inclusive, and resilient Fiji where development reaches every corner of our islands.
This investment aligns with several key priorities of the Government’s National Development Plan:
Creating Jobs and Supporting Livelihoods
I am pleased to note that the construction and eventual operation of this service station will bring:
These are real, tangible benefits. They support our broader mission to reduce inequality, uplift vulnerable communities, and build economic resilience at the grassroots level.
A Message to the Business Community
To the wider Fijian business community—this is your example.
We encourage businesses to think beyond the short term, and to see how your investments can be part of the nation-building story.
The Government is ready to work with you—to provide the enabling environment, the policy support, and the partnerships that make development sustainable and inclusive.
Closing
To B Prasad & Sons PTE Ltd as well as the Total Energy Ltd — Vinaka vakalevu for your vision, your commitment partnership, and your faith in the people of Navua.
Your partnership reflects the spirit of resilience and innovation that defines our nation. I commend you for stepping forward—not just as a business—but as a partner in development.
Let it be a reminder that progress is not just measured in GDP, but in how we connect our people to opportunity—through infrastructure, through jobs, and through service.
It is now my great pleasure to officially break ground for the construction of the new service station by B Prasad & Sons in Navua.
Vinaka vakalevu and thank you.
May God bless you and our beloved Fiji