OUTGOING roko tui Cakaudrove Ro Aca Mataitini has urged people in the province to work with government officials in an effort to develop the area.
He made the statement at the farewell dinner hosted by the Cakaudrove Provincial Council office in Savusavu on Friday night.
“If we want to see developments in this province, people will have to change their mind-sets and work with government officials for the purpose of improving the standard of living,” Ro Aca said.
“Working in Cakaudrove for three years was an enriching experience and also a challenging one. Social-ill issues like sexual offenses, violence against women and drug abuse needs to be addressed as it is rife in this province.”
He said people also needed to utilise available resources for sources of income instead of relying on government all the time for assistance.
Ro Aca will now join the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs headquarters in Suva as a senior training officer.
He thanked the district reps, village headmen and chiefs for supporting him while on duty in the area.
“Cakaudrove is one of the best places to work in because its people are very welcoming and supportive. I only hope that people will continue to show their support to government,” he said.
Acting roko tui Cakaudrove Bulutani Matai said he was ready to take up the challenge and serve the people in the province until the next provincial head was appointed.