SOME families on maritime islands who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston four years ago are still waiting for assistance from Government, Opposition MP Jese Saukuru said in Parliament yesterday.
He highlighted this issue while speaking on a motion to establish a special committee to capitalise development for people in maritime islands.
“People in the maritime islands are still waiting for assistance under the Help for Homes initiative,” Mr Saukuru said.
If the committee was established, he said, it should look at services needed in maritime and rural areas.
Mr Saukuru said 45 per cent of Fiji’s population lived in maritime areas. Mr Saukuru said building resilient houses to withstand natural disasters was important.
He claimed rural to urban drift had caused a decrease in the number of people living in maritime areas by 46 per cent. Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau said he did not support the motion.
“The FijiFirst Government aims to provide quality services to all Fijians, including rural and maritime areas,” he said.
