LAUTOKA OFFICE SPACE NOW AVAILABLE!
January 5, 2026
FIRST CHURCH SERVICE & CEO SESSION 2026
January 8, 2026
The Minister for iTaukei Affairs and Chair of the TLTB Board of Trustees, Hon. Ifereimi Vasu, on Friday handed over a nine‑tonne Isuzu truck to Mr. Akariva Vura under the Taukei Development Fund Facility (TDFF), an initiative launched in 2024 to support iTaukei entrepreneurs in establishing and expanding commercial ventures.
The purchase was financed through a $90,000 loan provided by TLTB under the TDFF’s 2.5% interest and no-deposit loan initiative.
Mr Vura, a schoolteacher by profession, is a sole trader entrepreneur from Nacavanadi Village, Gau, who has grown into one of Lomaiviti’s most committed grassroots entrepreneurs through his business, known as Vuaniqele Investment Pte Ltd. His business provides a critical logistics link for communities across the Lomaiviti maritime region, enabling the movement of goods, supporting access to essential services, and sustaining economic activity.
For the past five years, Mr. Vura has been running a vital freight service along the Suva–Gau–Suva route — a lifeline that keeps goods, supplies, and essential services moving across the Lomaiviti group of islands. Operating out of Qarani, the island’s main administrative and shipping hub, his service has become a trusted connector for families, farmers, fishermen and small businesses.
But his contribution doesn’t stop there. Vuaniqele Investment has grown into a multi‑service enterprise supporting everyday life on Gau and other parts of the Lomaiviti Group through:
– Freight Services – Reliable cargo transport linking Gau to Suva and Suva to Gau.
– Fuel Distribution – Supplying fuel to Nacavanadi and neighbouring villages in Lomaiviti, supporting households, small-scale enterprises, and maritime transportation.
– Bakery Operations – Fresh daily bread for the Gau and Lomaiviti community.
– Copra Trading – Engaging in the copra business, supporting local farmers and contributing to the island’s agricultural value chain.
These four ventures reflect Mr. Vura’s deep commitment to uplifting his community and expanding essential services across the island.
To continue growing these operations, Vuaniqele Investment Pte Ltd sought a $90,000 loan from TLTB under the TDFF initiative, approved and successfully handed over on Friday, 2nd January 2026.
Mr Akariva Vura’s journey is a reminder of what dedication, vision, and community spirit can achieve. His work continues to strengthen Gau’s economy and support families across Lomaiviti.
