It is time to work together as a nation - AG

It is time to work together as a nation to rebuild the lives of the people badly affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Finance Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said he has visited a few thousand people with emergency supplies in the western division and they managed to reach areas where no one had visited.

Sayed-Khaiyum said efforts are underway to restore water and electricity in affected areas.

However this is expected to take time as FEA's infrastructure is badly affected in North West Viti Levu.

He said efforts are underway to assist as many people as possible.

Sayed-Khaiyum also calls on people to take advantage of the FNPF special assistance scheme for the cyclone.

However he has also raised concern that some people are trying to withdraw funds from other accounts while some are withdrawing funds although their family has not suffered any damages.

He also calls on businesses not to increase prices during this time as many people desperately want to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
 

RELIEF SUPPLIES

RC Manubhai Group today donated $400,000 worth of pre-painted roofing iron to the Prime Minister's Relief and Rehabilitation Fund.

Australian company, Bremick Fasteners also donated $50,000 worth of roofing screws.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum received the donation in Ba earlier today.   

RC Manubhai Group also provided mattresses, gallons, roofing iron and plastic ware valued at $30,000 last week.

Sayed-Khaiyum said they are grateful for all the assistance from all the organizations so far and hopes that all Fijians come out to assist their fellow Fijians in need.

TOURISM

Fiji is ready to receive tourists.

That is the message from the tourism industry.

The Tourism Action Group held a special meeting with industry stakeholders to share developments and plans for strengthening the tourism sector in light of the recent natural disaster.

Almost 100 people from the industry, representing both small and large tourism operators, attended the meeting in Denarau yesterday.

The Tourism Action Group is a joint initiative of Tourism Fiji, Fiji Airways, Society Of Fiji Travel Associates and the Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association. 

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says it has also been confirmed that Fiji Airways will launch deeply discounted airfares and the industry will support this with special accommodation packages to key source markets. 

Other initiatives will include advertising and marketing campaigns.

The Bula Fijian Tourism Exchange's, Bill Whiting also handed over a $100,000 cheque to get the Tourism Action Group's activities started.