Press Release Detail

The Narocake Pine Scheme in Gau received two vehicles and equipment from the Government, which is expected to boost economic recovery from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister and Minister for Forestry, Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama praised pine landowners in Gau for their support and patience in waiting for the much-needed support.
Last week, Mr Bainimarama officially handed over a seven-tonne truck, post peeler and 4x4 vehicle to the Narocake Pine Scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Forestry when he officiated at the Gau Secondary School Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebrations.
He told students that before the Gau Secondary School began in 1971, parents had to send their children to urban centres away from the island to pursue their secondary education.
"Your predecessors worked hard to change that—they cut sugarcane and planted pine trees at the Nabou Pine Station and sent the money they earned back here to fund the building of this wonderful school," Mr Bainimarama said.
Under the Lomaiviti Pine Schemes, the Narocake Pine Scheme includes Lovu, Vadravadra and Yadua villages and is a tikina-based scheme owned by the Tikina of Sawaieke.
He explained to the people that the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the Government to pool resources to support Fijians who were most affected by the pandemic.
"The vehicles purchased for your scheme were among those that were re-deployed to assist with the COVID-19 operations. Your 4x4 vehicle was used for house visitations and vaccinations, while your truck was used to deliver root crops and vegetables from restricted areas to the market," Mr Bainimarama told the resource owners.
"I wish to acknowledge your patience with the re-deployment of these vehicles and machines. I am advised that you have one of the most successful pine schemes in Fiji, and so I hope that these vehicles will help further that success."
Since 2017, the Government has assisted the Narocake Pine Scheme with harvesting a portion of their plantation, generating sawlogs, posts and poles with a total of 940m3 with a total value of approximately $100,000.
In partnership with the Fjii Pine Trust, the Ministry has facilitated the construction of 46 houses with a total value of $152, 915.00.
In addition, the Government has also connected the Narocake Pine Scheme to a market in Suva for the supply of timber, meaning islanders, can now experience a sense of business entrepreneurship through their forest produce, like pine.
The pine resource owners in the maritime islands can also improve their living standards through the provision of sawn timber to improve their housing needs through renovations or building new houses.