THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
MR LAISENIA TUITUBOU

Address at the Closing of Urban Youth Training – BML/Boat Captain, Lautoka Rogorogo- i-vuda House 5 October 2017 at 1.00pm

• Roko Tui Ba
• Invited Guests
• Trainer - MSAF
• Youth trainees
• Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good afternoon, Namaste and bula vinaka to you all. It is always good to be back in the West. I am glad for the opportunity to be here and to close this training.

I must acknowledge MSAF and the partnership developing between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and MSAF, targeting our young people. This partnership certainly has grown with common objectives in area of training young people with Boat Master and Boat Captain qualifications. I know that it has become popular amongst youth members and clubs and so we will be working together for a while.

I also acknowledge the trainees that have chosen Lautoka as place to live for you commitment to this training. You have now joined over 2000 other youths from around the country who have completed the Boat Master and Boat Captains training. For the Western Division alone, the Ministry together with MSAF had conducted this training in Nabukeru, Viwa, Kese, Nayavuira, Malake Island and Korovou, Tavua. In two weeks we will conduct training at Vatulele and Fiji Correction Services at Natabua. More young people in the four Divisions will also soon attend the same training.

The Ministry is helping young people through such empowerment and capacity building training, to inspire you to meet the challenges around you and to be a law abiding citizen by following the requirements of the law of the country.

This training is focussed on young people in urban centres or in Lautoka city. Based on data and information received, there is an influx of young people to urban centres around the country. This has resulted in an increase in social problems involving young people. Based on our evidence on the ground, most of you trainees find a source of income at sea, but you do not have the legal requirements or a boat license to operate a boat. I hope that you will take advantage of this training and you push beyond your boundaries and recognising that you can make positive changes to yourselves and your communities.

The primary objective of this training is for all participants to have a boat license so you can operate a boat without fear. Secondly for the safety of boat passengers using boats to travel to sea or outer islands. Like many of the young people who have completed the training, that you secure a paid job using your boat licence as your entry qualification.

The certificate and boat licence you will receive today will also provide you an opening to further you studies. Do not hesitate to take this step, you have just started your career journey that can take you to places you never dreamed of.

As Government and the Ministry, we are looking to harness your ability and capitalise on your potential and values to create and live a decent livelihood. The Government’s priority is to reduce unemployment, reduce poverty and to promote economic growth. Such training will motivate you to take action for a good course and be part of Government’s effort for you and your community’s wellbeing.

You are lucky to be provided the opportunity such as this. The Ministry expects 50% of you to find a paid job or start your own business, 35% to continue for further studies. Many young people who completed Boat Master Training in Yasawas are now employed at nearby resorts as boat operators. Some have started their own business.

Young people, you have a lot of openings to venture into. You have to create business ideas on how you can start a business. The Government has provided you the financial assistance that you can apply to such as the Young Entrepreneur Scheme with a maximum of $20,000.00 or small grant scheme of $1,000.00 by Ministry of Information Trade and Tourism. This is all part of Government’s initiative in growing the economy.

Before I conclude I want to remind you again the importance of abiding by the rules and regulations by regulatory authorities such as MSAF This is for your own safety and safety of the people you serve as boat operator. Life is so precious and you cannot take it for granted. In the same breath, I want to appeal to you to “man up” and support our women. We have an unacceptably high rate of men beating women and sometimes children. Thus is not normal behaviour – it is behaviour that must be reported to the police. Yesterday, Government launched the “man up” to get us all to support our women in whatever they want to do. If we want to grow the economy, we need women to contribute too.

It is an expensive exercise for Government to do search and rescue at sea when there is mishap at sea due to negligence by boat operators. I urge you to continue to develop yourself with life skills essential in everyday living.

Soon the Ministry of Youth and Sports will organize swimming classes to young people to curb the problem of drowning. This year the Ministry had started the Duke of Edinburgh International Award with PYGMIES youth club at Natokowaqa. So far the PYGMIES DEIA participants are about to complete their bronze award activities. Reports received are that PYGMIES are making positive impact in their community and in the Lautoka area where they did their community service. We planning to replicate the program with other youth clubs in Lautoka city before moving to other districts in the Western Division. DEIA is an effective tool in developing values, positive attitudes and social relationships for young people.

I conclude with the message articulated in the new vision for the Ministry of Youth and Sports “Building Values that Lead to Success” I encourage you to articulate this vision and we must all strive together to bring a prosperous and successful life to you, your family and your community and to Fiji.

I now have the pleasure to declare this training closed.

Vinaka. Thank you.