Commission To Announce Tui Nawaka Ruling Today
If the TLFC decision is not accepted by either side, they can take the matter to the Appeals Tribunal.
The Land and Fisheries Commission (TLFC) will announce its decision on the Tui Nawaka title today.
This was confirmed by the TLFC chairman Ratu Vananalagi Vesikula after his team heard the submissions from the two rival groups fighting for the title.
“The TLFC was present at Nawaka village for two days and we carried out our work. A decision by TLFC will be made on July 18,” said Ratu Vananalagi.
This chiefly row broke out in the
of Nawaka in Nadi - after Ratu Asaeli Driu Naevo was installed as Tui Nawaka on December 13, 2013.
The installation was ratified by the TLFC.
His rival, Ratu Livai Derenalagi, was installed by his group on May 12 this year.
A protest was also lodged with the TLFC, claiming he was the rightful holder.
Ratu Asaeli was installed a year after the death of his predecessor, Ratu Manasa Qoro Naevo. Ratu Livai claimed that they appealed against the decision of the (TLFC) on March 23, 2017, because the installation was not done according to the protocol of the
Ratu Livai also claimed that as far back as before the Deed of Cession in 1874, the title had belonged to his family. He claimed the chiefly title was passed to a Nalagi family member, Ratu Meli Naureu, temporarily because Ratu Livai’s father, Ratu Asesela Dere, was physically disabled.
The understanding was that the title was to return to the original holders. But, he alleged, this had not happened and had caused the row in a bid to challenge the present title holder. Sauturaga (kingmakers) spokesperson Jeremaia Driu earlier told the that the had made its decision and “there would be no other changes”.
Ratu Vananalagi revealed earlier that there was no need for another installation.
However, a letter from the challenger, was written to the Roko who forwarded it to the TLFC.
If the TLFC decision is not accepted by either side, they can take the matter to the Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal ruling will be final. Ratu Vananalagi said he would not be at Nawaka, but his team would. He said he would be travelling to Australia as part of a high-level delegation, led by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, to attend the Fiji-Queensland Trade and Investment Symposium at the Stamford Hotel in Brisbane on July 20.
The chiefly row broke out in the of Nawaka - after Ratu Asaeli Driu Naevo was installed as Tui Nawaka on December 13, 2013. A decision by the Commission is expected to be made on July 18.