New Timber Project Promises Income for Lau Group

Villagers in Lakeba and across Fiji's Lau Group are poised to benefit from new employment and income streams following the government's handover of a portable sawmill to Lakeba Nexus Holding Pte Ltd. The $60,000 piece of equipment, provided under the Rural Outer Island Development Program, aims to foster a commercial forestry industry on Lakeba.

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The sawmill is funded under the Rural Outer Island Development Program. It will support plans to build a commercial forestry industry in Lakeba.

The sawmill was officially transferred in Suva by Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu to the Turaga na Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Mara. Minister Bulitavu stated that the government acted swiftly upon receiving the proposal in May. The sawmill is projected to process approximately 446,000 cubic meters of pine timber over 15 years, with replanting initiatives ensuring the resource's sustainability.

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The Government acted quickly after receiving the proposal in May. He said the sawmill will process about 446,000 cubic metres of pine timber over 15 years. He added that replanting programs will ensure the resource remains sustainable.

This initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities and cultivate timber processing skills within the local community. Furthermore, it is anticipated to retain more income within the local economy. Bulitavu highlighted the government's broader commitment to Lakeba's development, noting that around $500,000 has already been allocated to economic and maritime projects.

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He said the project will create jobs and build timber processing skills. He also said it would help keep more income within local communities.

These existing investments include a Lau workboat designed to enhance inter-island transportation and a blast freezer intended to boost fisheries earnings. The Minister urged Lakeba Nexus Holding Pte Ltd to manage the new sawmill operation responsibly, emphasizing the critical importance of safety protocols and sustainable forestry practices as the project progresses.

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About $500,000 has already been invested in economic and maritime projects. These include the Lau workboat to improve inter-island transport and a blast freezer to boost fisheries earnings.