THE Fiji Police Force has come to the assistance of students in a rural area who have been crossing a river to go to school and back home.
On Thursday, the police force launched its police boat in Muainaweni.
The Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua and the Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration Joketani Cokanasiga launched the boat.
Muainaweni is a farming community near Nausori on the way to Vunidawa in Naitasiri.
Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said the Muainaweni Community Post served Namuamua, Gusuisavu, Deladamanu, Natoaika and Nacokaika villages.
"There are about 80 students who cross the river twice a day and the Fiji police boat at Muainaweni will assist in their transportation daily," he said.
Insp Sokomuri said the Police Commissioner directed the post officer, Sergeant Triza Nakaiwalu to ferry the students free of charge for a week.
He said the post officer would also teach students the aspects of water safety.
"The community post will be supplied with a gym set which will also be used by the youths in Namuamua Village."
Insp Sokomuri also said the farmers of Muainaweni who suffered terribly in the upheavals of 2000 were returning slowly and started farming.
The Muainaweni Community Post is looked after by five officers led by Sgt Nakaiwalu, who believes that nothing is impossible with God's guidance.