Good morning, Namaste and Ni Sa Bula!

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for your generous hospitality and the warm welcome extended to me and my colleagues from the Embassy this morning.

It gives me pleasure to officiate today’s handing over ceremony of three new classrooms and a seven pan toilet block project donated by the Government of Japan for convenience of the children of this school.

It is my belief that Education never fails but brings everlasting economic success and therefore, it becomes our responsibility to ensure that our children’s basic right to education is fulfilled. We, the parent, teachers, Ministry of Education, NGOs and donor countries like Japan, play a very vital role in this learning process. Education curriculum may be standard for schools around Fiji, however, what matters most and which is equally important in the education process are the facilities. Since the inception of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme, Japan has been a very active development partner in upgrading educational facilities based on needs of many schools around Fiji, and today’s handing over ceremony is a clear manifestation of Japan’s firm commitment and conviction to upgrade Bishop Kempthorne Memorial School.

To be able to provide flexible and timely support to development projects at the grass-roots level such as this project, the Japanese Government offers a financial assistance scheme for development projects designed to meet the diverse needs of grassroots in developing countries. Known as Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects program, this scheme supports projects proposed by bodies such as Schools, Hospitals, Local Government Authorities, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). In the last Japanese fiscal year, namely April 2009 to March 2010 period, Japan has provided 13 projects under its GGP scheme with a total value of approximately 1 million US dollars around Fiji Islands, and among these 13 projects, this is the final project to be handed over successfully.

To conclude, this assistance is a reflection of Japan’s goodwill and friendship to the people of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and, while helping development of such projects, this assistance will contribute to strengthen the friendly ties currently enjoyed between our two countries, Japan and Fiji.

Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, with these few words, I am privileged to declare these three classrooms and new toilet block open and I remain hopeful that this assistance will bring prosperity to this community.

Thank you, Dhanyevaad, and Vinaka Vakalevu.