www.fijitimes.com - Thursday, November 19, 2009
A LAU businessman Epeli Draunidalo says news that the province has secured a vessel that is now berthed in Suva has brought happiness to villagers on the island.
"We are so happy to hear that the boat is in Suva because that problem of transportation to and from Viti Levu has always been a major issue for us and that problem has been there for a very long time," Mr Draunidalo told the Fiji Times from his Cicia home yesterday.
He said now villagers could be rest assured of normal shipping services to the island.
"This is especially so for us with small businesses, particularly since our income-generating commodity is copra, which we need to sell to buyers in Suva," Mr Draunidalo said.
"With the presence of the boat, all copra farmers should rest assured that vessels will be available at a certain time to transport our produce to Suva.
"Shipping has been the most number one problem and the presence of the boat will soon eliminate that problem, we can now be confident that vessels will be available at a certain time ton transport our produce to Suva," he added.
The vessel Lau Trader berthed in Suva Harbour early this month.
The former research boat was bought in New Zealand and brought to Fiji by a team of marine officials from the Marine department.
Yatu Lau Company Ltd chief executive Michael Makasiale said more seats would be installed on the vessel.
This he said would be done this week when the State slipway was available.
In earlier interview though, he said the vessel would be able to transport approximately 200 passengers.
The boat cost and its transportation to Suva cost a little over $1 million. It is expected to start its services in the first week of December
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