Press Release Detail

Hon. Kalaveti Ravu 
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry 
Speech  

Hon. Ravu opened the Fiji Pine Limited’s Brand New Office in Lekutu, Bua, on 15^th June, 2023.?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Turaga na Tui Bua,

Pine landowners from Bua, 

Board Director of Fiji Pine Group, 

Management and Staff of Fiji Pine Group.  

Ni Sa Bula Re.

It gives me great pleasure to be here today on my first official visit to Fiji Pine Limited’s Bua Station since taking up my role as the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry. I am truly humbled to see you all here today and to be invited to be part of yet another milestone achievement of the Pine Group. Today we open the brand new office facility here in Bua that came with a total investment of $400,000.
Ladies and gentlemen, the development of resource owners, particularly those who live in remote areas, is one of the key priority areas of the Coalition Government. My Ministry is one of the key ministries within the Government that is directly associated with this goal. I know that land is an emotional aspect for landowners, and I can assure you that under my leadership you will see more and more positive developments towards your livelihoods. We will continue to hear you, consult you, and bring development to your doorsteps.
Fiji Pine Group is one venture that drives economic activities to landowning communities in remote areas and has enabled and will continue to enable more equitable returns to Pine landowners.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Bua Station was established in the 1970s, when pine planting began in this province. These were funded through the Government grants and later through loans. However, as the trees grew and neared maturity, little to no focus was given to the establishment of a processing facility. As a result, the station infrastructure was neglected to the point where, back in 2010, there were hardly any operations or people based at the station.
Bua saw a light when the Government established a port at Wairiki, and then later, the company set up a woodchip mill in Wairiki in 2012. The sawlog material from Vanua Levu is now transferred to Drasa for further processing into value-added products. The Drasa factory at present is run entirely on logs that come from Vanua Levu. Through this processing of forests from Vanua Levu, the Pine Landowners have realized returns in many forms, as I am sure you all know and have benefited from. 
The Pine Industry model has been a success, and as I said before, this success can only be sustainable when we collaborate with the resource owners. As part of this collaboration, Fiji Pine Limited recently invested in this office facility that you see here, valued at $400,000. I am told that the new office is equipped with the required staffing and tools to serve stakeholders better. 
To the Fiji Pine employees who are present here today, I know that you will never forget the experience you went through during Cyclone Yasa. I am told that the nearby school that was one of the evacuation centers collapsed in the midst of the cyclone, and you all had to take another shelter, risking your lives. I warmly congratulate you and those who have gone before you on your achievement. 
Ladies and gentlemen, this year Fiji Pine Limited will complete planting almost all areas within its leased areas that are economical and suitable for planting. This requires teamwork and collaboration between the industry, its landowners, and the Ministry. Together, we can ensure that this industry remains viable and strong for future generations.
There are many external factors that affect a forestry business. One such challenge is the weather. We now have a rainy period for almost half the year. You are already seeing this here in Bua, where operations completely stop. Business is tough this year. Let us all be thankful for our achievements. 
As we continue this journey, I urge us not to leave anyone behind. Let us continue to work together to strive for the better. 
With these words, ladies and gentlemen, I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the board, management, and staff of the Fiji Pine Group for such an exceptional delivery. 
Vinaka Vakalevu.