Chiefs of Tailevu Province have set a three-year target for the collection of funds by its provincial council.
Chairman Rusiate Tudravu said the council set a target of $1.8 million to be collected in three years.
“We started our collection last year and the last one will be in 2019,” he said.
The chiefs, he said, had stopped the collection of provincial levies to fund work at the provincial council office because they thought the council had enough money.
However, he said, they found out later that they needed more funds, so they wanted the council to collect $1.8m in three years.
“20 per cent of the amount will go to the provincial council office, 40 per cent for education scholarships and 40 per cent for savings,” Mr Tudravu said.
He said after three years they would make an assessment to decide the next step they would take.
All the people of Tailevu registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula, he said, had to contribute $50 a year.
Members of the province gathered at Gatward Park, Korovou, Tailevu North, on Thursday, and this was the first of this fundraising to be held outside Nausori.
Mr Tudravu said the event brought the people of the province together.
He said he was happy with the unity shown by the people.
Meanwhile, at Nasinu Ground, the Naitasiri Provincial Council held its fundraising. Roko Tui Naitasiri, Ifereimi Corerega, said their target was $100,000. He said many did not turn up because of the bad weather.
The people of Colo-i-Suva opened the fundraising with $50,000.
Edited by Epineri Vula
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