The community of Akawini has undergone significant transformation over the past five years, with major improvements in education, healthcare, transportation, and infrastructure leading to improved lives.
Speaking during President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s cabinet outreach in the village on Friday, Toshao Nicholas Fredericks highlighted a series of government investments that he said have expanded access to essential services while creating better opportunities for Indigenous residents.
Education has seen some of the most significant progress, he stated, pointing to the ‘Because We Care’ Cash Grant, the introduction of breakfast and lunch programmes, an increase in trained teachers, and the return of local educators to serve in Akawini.
“Before now, the only trained teachers we used to get were from the coast. Today, we have our own people trained and coming back to serve our village,” the Toshao said.
The village currently runs a feeding program. It allows teachers and students in the primary and secondary schools to get breakfast and lunch free of cost. Additionally, the chicken being used to cook the meals is also sourced from the village.
The Toshao also credited government support for providing boat transportation for schoolchildren, noting that the service allows students from distant sections of the village to attend school free of transportation costs.
He also noted that the village has benefited from improved healthcare through better access to medicines, trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) and regular specialist outreach services.
On infrastructure, he commended the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for ongoing creek-clearing works.
He said additional drainage is needed to open more farmlands and improve access to logging areas, which remain key economic activities in the community.
Following recent storm damage, the Toshao appealed for the NDIA excavator to remain in the village for an extended period to clear waterways and restore access to farms and logging areas. He noted that the village also intends to use its LCDS funds to purchase a small excavator to strengthen community resilience.
While outlining the progress made, the Toshao urged the government to establish a secondary school or annex in Akawini. He explained that many students are unable to continue their secondary education because of the distance to existing schools.
The president noted that establishing a secondary school is on the cards for the village.