As Levuka prepares to host the Fiji Media Association Town Hall, one long-time resident hopes discussions will focus on creating more employment opportunities to stop young people from leaving the island.

For 73-year-old Navin Valabh, the issue is personal.

He says many of Ovalau’s young people leave the island after completing their education in search of work elsewhere, leaving behind an ageing population.

“They study here and leave our shores as soon as they go to higher education. The amount of our youth are taking employment to the other centres around Fiji. We are left alone here. You can tell when you’re walking around here,” Valabh said.

He believes the lack of employment opportunities has contributed to a gradual decline in the town’s population, with fewer young families choosing to remain in Levuka.

Valabh and his wife have spent decades operating Valabh and Sons, a family business along Beach Street that has served the community for more than a century.

Inside the shop sits a well-preserved Victorian-era sewing machine, a reminder of Levuka’s rich history and the family’s commitment to preserving it.

However, Valabh says while the town continues to honour its heritage, greater investment is needed to create modern employment opportunities that will encourage younger generations to build their future on Ovalau.

He also noted that many residents continue to rely on traditional ways of doing business, making it difficult to expand into modern industries and adapt to changing consumer demands.

Employment, economic development and opportunities for young people are expected to be among the issues raised when government ministers meet residents at the Fiji Media Association Town Hall in Levuka tonight.

The forum will provide members of the public with an opportunity to raise concerns directly with ministers and discuss issues affecting communities across Ovalau.