More than $10,000 worth of sawn pine timber from the Yavusa Tiliva in Kadavu has been sold to Bharty Enterprise Limited.
This is the first shipment of sawn pine timber from the 223.3 hectares of pine forests at Naqara, Ono, in Kadavu.
Chairman of Yavusa Tiliva Pine Management committee, Kinivuwai Nacagilevu said: “This pine forest is owned by our Yavusa Tiliva, made up of Naqara and Manuku villages, and is now managed by Yavusa Tiliva Pine Management committee.”
He highlighted the first shipment of sawn timber contained the following:
Size
23 cubic metres of sawn pine timber of size (2×1; 2×2; 3×1; 3×2; 4×1; 4×2; 6×1, 6×2; 8×1 &, 8×2). The value is $13,885.59 in which a cheque was paid on October 15 by Bharty Enterprise Limited managing director, Bharat Lal to Mr Nacigilevu, in the presence of the Manager Fiji Pine Trust, Lasarusa Turaga.
He also highlighted that following discussions with the director of Brighton Shipping Company, Ulaiasi Baivatu, they have reached an agreement.
“The supply of our timber products will be shipped on a weekly basis by LCT Liahona, whereby the ship is scheduled to load the pine shipment from Naqara every Saturdays.
“We sincerely thank Government through the Ministry of Forests and Fiji Pine Trust in providing us advise, training, chainsaw and a portable saw mill.”
He said the challenges they were facing now was the loading part, in which they do not have proper jetty to ease and speed up loading process, and a treatment plant to maintain the quality of the timber products.
“These has been raised to the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama during his official visit of Kadavu on January 25, 2017.”
He noted that the Divisional Commissioner Eastern has been highlighted on these matters, and the development plans and strategies are with them.
“We are looking forward to increase our production rate as we move on.
“This is a milestone achievement in the history of our Yavusa, as we are progressing towards establishing our Yavusa company, and at the same time work in line with our development strategies and plans.
“We appreciate the vision of our elders who took this initiative way back in the 1970s.
“Without their vision we cannot progress as of today.
“On the same vision, we are setting aside investments for our future generations.”
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