Start to help yourself and the government will come on board.

Commissioner Eastern Colonel Ifereimi Vasu says this was the message given out to the people of Kadavu during the Prime Minister's weeklong visit, whereby there were a wide range of requests from villagers on development projects.

Vasu says while they understand the needs of those in the rural areas are far greater, people should also be proactive and try and take the first step in helping themselves rather than depending on handouts.