Million dollar EU funded accommodation project opens in Liolau, Avatele

Members of the Avatele Community, Government dignitaries and the invited guests all gathered at Liolau for the official opening of the Liolau Guesthouse. 

Performing his first duty as the Ambassador of the European Union to Niue H.E Sujiro Seam commissioned the EU funded Liolau Guesthouse at the village of Avatele on Tuesday afternoon. 

The guesthouse features 5 self contained units which were funded by the European Union to a tune of close to 1 million NZD. 

Seam told those attending the ceremony that the EU supported the project to allow sustainable development and generate income to make a better livelihood to ensure a better future for the young generations.

He emphasized that the income generating project is for the benefit of the community.

The plans for the Liolau project began some 10 years ago, according to the Village Council Chairperson Speedo Hetutu. Before his speech, he asked the gathering to observe 1 minute of silence for all the matuas or the elderly of the village who supported the project but have passed on. 

Minister for Social Services Billy Talagi stated the project is not only special for the village of Avatele but also for Niue as a whole.