200 vehicles handed over to Fiji by the Chinese government

200 vehicles have been handed over to the Fijian government by the Chinese government today.

The $17.5 million donation by the Chinese government includes 50 school buses, 30 ambulances, 50 police cars, 50 minibuses and 20 panel vans.

The 30 ambulances will be designated to the Ministry of Health while the panel vans will be used to cart equipment and cargo and they will be given to the ministries that need them.

While officiating at the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the Chinese Government and the Chinese Embassy for arranging the delivery of the 200 vehicles.

He says that having more vehicles means they can respond more quickly to emergencies, address urgent needs of ordinary Fijians and keep delivering on their agenda for rural outreach and economic development.

Bainimarama says the reality they face in Fiji is that some Fijians are separated by great physical distances, and government has made special efforts to bring services, infrastructure and development to all of our people, everywhere in Fiji.

Bainimarama says government will not allow these communities in rural pockets of the country to languish on the sidelines of our economic development.

The Prime Minister adds that government needs vehicles to continue all of the important work in our rural communities.

Bainimarama adds that these vehicles will immediately be put to use and integrated within their existing government fleet under the management of the Fleet Management Team within our Ministry of Economy