Minister for Youth and Sports

Hon.Parveen Kumar Bala

Wednesday, 28th September, 2022, 2:00pm

 

Salutation:

• Master of Ceremonies;
• Village Elders;
• Youth Participants;
• Members of the Media;
• Ladies and Gentlemen;

 

Bula Vinaka and a very good day to you all,

 

Thank you for the gracious welcome. I am very pleased and happy to be here to officiate at the handover of the canteen project as part of our capital projects programme at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the true spirit of Fijian togetherness can be witnessed today, Soweri Youth Club has combined its communal efforts in creating an income generating business venture and I applaud your efforts.

 

The Ministry is excited to partner with you and support your efforts in creating a sustainable living. This is critical to the recovery of the economy and exactly what Fiji needs right now.

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is very encouraging to see young people like you taking up the challenge of a business venture. Your efforts in utilising your existing resources and constructing a canteen and investing in this venture will definitely reap you the rewards of your hard work.

 

The total investment into this canteen project amounts to $3,853.19 .Government has contributed for the procurement of stocks to support the youth club’s canteen. When the community contributes towards a project, there is ownership and increased responsibility to achieve the desired results — to have the project work. This is the level of commitment required for a successful project.

 

This will also give you the opportunity to enter into contracts, expand your operations to value-adding.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the ministry has been assisting youth clubs at a very swift rate as of late and this should be indicative of how, as an arm of Government, we are fully engaging young people to realize their potential. This has been evidenced by many youth clubs who after receiving assistance and grants have gone on further to set-up sustainable and viable business ventures in the form of their various income generating projects. 

 

I am impressed by your endeavoring spirit and it is undoubtedly encouraging as it conveys the vibrancy of our young Fijians. 

 

As you receive this assistance given to you by the Ministry today, remember that you have my full support and that of the ministry. It is our hopes that this timely boost will go a long way in your activities and that you continue to contribute positively to your community.

 

Today’s handing over comes in the wake of the ministry’s follow up of requests by your youth club in our matrix. In late 2020, the youth club had requested for the assistance during my visitation at Tavualevu. It should come as good news to all the youth that issues brought up during our consultative visits to youth clubs are highlighted and addressed as soon as possible.

 

So as you receive this equipment, I wish to challenge you, to increase your income generation through your projects. Continue to work with us for your benefit while at the same time uplift your community as you stride towards the future.

 

On that note, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and may God Bless you all.

 

 

Vinaka vakalevu.

 

-ENDS-