Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment Honourable Parveen Kumar Bala officiated as the Chief Guest during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the new Korovou Fire Station which is located adjacent to the existing Korovou Fulton Hogan Highways Depot in Korovou.

Honourable Mr Bala said it was the milestone and proud moment for him to officiate at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new Korovou Fire Station.

“This is yet another milestone and proud moment for me and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to witness this ground breaking ceremony for the construction of this first fire station to be built in Korovou.

“Three weeks ago we had the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a new fire station in Savusavu to strengthen our response in the North and I am delighted that the NFA is continuing its expansion plans into the rural areas in support of Government’s efforts towards the protection of its people, investments and the enhancement of economic growth and activities,” Honourable Mr Bala said.

“I am happy that the NFA is committed to fulfilling Government’s promise to the people of Fiji and is turning promises into deeds.

“I note that NFA’s Action Plans and objectives in the next five years continue to support Government’s commitment to the people of Fiji which is also highlighted in the constitution to provide effective and efficient services to the people of Fiji irrespective of where they live,” Honourable Mr Bala said.

The Minister said while the NFA has plans to build its internal capacity with the commencement of its new Headquarters later this year, it is pleasing to note that it has plans to build fire stations in Nakasi, Navua and Seaqaqa this year and in Rotuma, Nabouwalu, Vunisea, Lami and Nayavu in the next few years.

“Such foresight by the Board of the NFA will continue to receive support from the Government,”Honourable Mr Bala said.

Korovou is one of Fiji’s important business centres. It is considered the centre of Fiji’s Dairy Industry and also boasts several of Fiji's prominent schools including the Queen Victoria School, Ratu Kadavulevu Secondary School, Tailevu North Secondary School and Natovi Secondary School. It is also the business centre for the entire Tailevu North area.

The nearest fire station to Korovou - the Nausori Fire Station is about 30 kilometres away. This new Station will quicken the NFA’s response time to fires and other emergencies to the people of Korovou and Tailevu North.

The NFA has always been under immense pressure when responding from Nausori Fire Station to attend to fire calls and other emergencies in the Korovou and Tailevu North areas.

The Minister highlighted on the importance of having a fire station in Korovou following the devastating fires in 2005 at RKS and in 2013 QVS school fires where nothing could be saved from the two fires.

“Government is committed to ensuring that such essential services that are provided by the NFA are available to all Fijians irrespective of where they live and Government is committed to support NFA and fund such projects as the construction of this new Station,” Honourable Mr Bala said. ‘We are delighted that the NFA is moving ahead in line with Government’s development plans in taking their essential services closer to the communities so that they can respond to the needs of the communities efficiently and effectively. “Korovou, its people and visitors will soon benefit from the services that will be delivered from this new Fire station and the firefighters that will man this station,” Honourable Mr Bala said.

The Minister also thanked the land owning unit, the Navunisalevu Nawaibuta and the vanua of Nailega for their partnership in this establishment of a fire station in Korovou.

“Without their support in granting lease to the NFA for this peace of land, the NFA would still be looking for a piece of land to build the fire station,” Honourable Mr Bala said.

“I also would like to acknowledge the hard work of the NFA Board for steering the NFA strategic direction to stay aligned with Government's development plans and for ensuring continuous improvement in the delivery of our essential services to the people of this nation,” The Minister added.