Raise living standards

Submitted by TemoL on Thu, 09/09/2010 - 3:17pm

The improvement of rural infrastructure development to raise living standards will be the focus of discussions among District Advisory Councilors.

In reiterating Government’s commitment to community development projects with an allocation of $1million in 2010, the Director Multi Ethnic Affairs, Sushil Sudhakar encouraged councilors to work together for a common good. .

“Government is appreciative of the District Advisory Councilors services, especially in the quality of projects completed, which has greatly assisted the disadvantaged and the poor in the community,” Mr Sudhakar said.

The Department provided financial assistance to 112 community self help projects for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the year.

Mr Sudhakar encouraged the needy to take advantage of scholarships provided by the Department.

The scholarship committee approved 800 new awards for this year.

He urged people to utilize the new Nausori Multi-Cultural Centre for which a grant of $20,000 has been allocated.

The Tailevu District Advisory Council chairman, Mr. Mohammed Altaaf Hussein, said it was high time people started income generating projects, such as backyard gardening and small scale poultry farming, to reduce poverty in the country.

“Instead of relying on Government handouts people should help themselves to sustain their livelihood.”