The 10,000 residents of the Nakorotubu and Saivou in Ra have always had to drive long distances by boat and carrier to Rakiraki in order to house their departed loved ones at the Rakiraki mortuary, however this is now a thing of the past.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama officially opened the new mortuary during his tour of Ra earlier this week, thanks to the private, public and community partnership of Fiji Water Foundation, the Ministry of Health and the Nanukuloa Board of Visitors.

Bainimarama remarked upon the necessity of such facilities in rural areas, and declared the government would continue to focus development efforts in improving access to health care and quality education.

Fiji Water Foundation Manager Molly Powers echoed the Prime Minister's words expressing their continued dedication to development assistance throughout Fiji, adding the Foundation is committed to the development which assists people through hard times as well, and through all parts of the life cycle.

The total cost of the project was just over $25,000.