Water woes that have plagued the people of Cikobia Island in Macuata will be eased to some extent after their urban-based youth are awarded a grant by the Government and assisted by the UNDP.
Club President Penina Waqatabu said they were grateful for the Drua Innovation Small Grant Scheme which will now enable the islanders to store a much larger rainfall quantity for consumption.
“With this grant, we are getting 17 water tanks which our people will use to fill rainwater which will sustain them for everyday life.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica, at the ceremony where grantees signed their agreements, said the Government was adamant to help Small to Medium initiatives.
“Needless to say, much is being done to help the MSME sector reach its potential and be the engine for economic growth and social development,” Kamikamica said.
“By providing business development support and performance-based grant financing the Drua Innovation Small Grant Scheme seeks to address a major capital market gap faced by projects from the get-go.”
Kamikamica said the grant was a unique one with plenty avenues of for expansion.
“They are disrupting current industries and challenging norms to achieve unique solutions. Innovative disruptive companies have high risk and high return potential. They are strong enablers of transition demonstrating the need for sectors in the blue economy to mature towards a low climate resilient and low carbon future.”
