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Japan Provides Funding for Improvement of Sanitary Environment in Tavua

The Tavua Town Council will have an official ceremony to celebrate the completion of the extension and the fencing of Tavua Market, the upgrading of public convenience and the installation of 20 new litter bins in Tavua Town. The Government of Japan provided funding of US$49,974.00 (approx. F$83,000.00) for these improvements under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme.

The First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Shigeki Takaya, will officiate in the ceremony to mark Japan's contribution at 11.00 a.m. on 23rd August 2005 at Tavua Town Council Market Complex, Market Road, Tavua.

It is anticipated that, through the provision of these new facilities, the Tavua Town Council will be able to better manage its sanitary environment. Whilst the market extension will provide business and employment opportunities to a number of aspiring market vendors and farmers, the provision of public convenience facilities and litter bins will provide for hygienic environment for the public and ratepayers of Tavua.

Japan's assistance to this project indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in Fiji Islands and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which includes water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the peoples of Fiji Islands and Japan.