The Head Teacher, Mr. Semisi Loksam,
Members of the School Management Committee,
Teachers, Parents & Children of Taveuni Central Sanatan School,
Former Head Teacher, Mr. Pravin Kapoor,
Invited guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon, Namaste and Ni sa Bula
Firstly, I wish to express my deepest appreciation for the message of condolence and offers of assistance from the Government and people of the Republic of Fiji conveyed to the Government and people of Japan since the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami struck on Japan in March this year. The damage caused by this disaster and the cost for reconstructions are incalculable. For its recovery and reconstruction, the Government of Japan has reviewed and decided to reduce the budget of its Official Development Assistance (ODA). However, the Japanese Government intends that reduction in the ODA budget should not affect the projects that are already on the ground, hence deciding not to reduce its bilateral ODA budget. We believe that assistance and encouragement provided to Japan from all over the world in the aftermath of the natural disaster shows the importance of “mutual dependence” and “coexistence” in the global community. Japan will continue to play an important role towards international peace and stability, and would not renege from the position in fulfilling its commitments made earlier.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to express my appreciation for your generosity and the warm welcome extended to me this afternoon. It gives me a great pleasure to be present at today’s handing over ceremony of the project for Upgrading of Taveuni Central Sanatan School here in Naqara.

The Embassy of Japan has a decade-long history with this school and has been an active development partner since 2001. In the year 2001, the Embassy of Japan signed a grant contract with the management of this school and formalised funding assistance for a double storey 6 classroom building that was formally handed over in the year 2002. Today’s handing over is a clear manifestation of Japan’s firm commitment to continuously improve basic educational facilities for the grassroots people. And I must thank the school management and the community at large for the giving the opportunity to Japan to contribute to the development of classroom facilities Taveuni Central Sanatan Primary School. 

The funding of this project was made possible through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security

Projects programme, in short also known as GGP.

The GGP Programme is designed to address basic human needs, which include education, basic sanitary environment, water supply, health, vocational training and rural infrastructure. In the last Japanese fiscal year, namely April 2010 to March 2011 period, Japan had identified 13 projects under its GGP scheme with a total value of approximately 2 million dollars around Fiji.

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

Finally, it is my hope that the new classrooms will be regularly maintained to ensure its usage for the important need of the community of Naqara for many years ahead.