Financial Literacy workshop For Landowners in Nawailevu, Bua

The villagers of Nawailevu, Bua were very fortunate to attend a “Financial Literacy Workshop” organized by the Ministry in partnership with the Reserve Bank of Fiji; engaging five financial institution such as Unit Trust of Fiji, Life Insurance Cooperation, Bank of The South Pacific, Westpac Bank and the Fiji National Provident Fund.

The aim of the workshop is to provide financial literacy and investment opportunities available to Land owning units in NAWAILEVU who are recipients of Future Generation fund. A total of 60 participants or mataqali members had registered for the one day workshop, mainly from three different Mataqali in Nawailevu, namely; Mataqali Nalutu, Naicobo and Noro.

In his opening address, the Deputy Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources emphasized on government initiatives in promoting sustainable utilization of proceeds received from prominent development like the mining bauxite. In addition, the stimulation of sustainable economic growth at village level; hence advocating :- the need to re-invest future generation fund for long term investment, upgrade living standards at village level [ House scheme and proper sanitation], Development of village projects and Landowners ability to look back at what they have accomplished, tackle existing financial problems, and be proud of the decision they made today for the security of achieving long term results for their future generation tomorrow.

In interviewing the landowners present, it is evident that landowners are happy and now well informed on the investment opportunities provided and thanked the Ministry for organizing the workshop and shedding some light on how better to utilize their land and provide for their future generations.

In his closing address, the Acting Commissioner Northern, Mr. Alipate Bolalevu; had commended the Ministry’s initiative in bringing this workshop to the Landowners doorsteps. He reiterated the need be a more critical thinker in exploring lasting solutions for our long standing financial problems and encouraged the landowners not to shy away from making decisions necessary to guarantee a bright future for their children and grandchildren.