Chiefs support shelving of village bylaws

Macuata chief, Turaga

Na Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Naitasiri chief of the Waima District Ratu Timoci Rokobukete support Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s decision for the shelving of village by laws.

“I support the shelving of the village by laws as announced by the Prime Minister,” Ratu Katonivere said.

He said village by laws were already in place, but were not observed by the villagers. What was missing was that elders were not reminding the youth of these by-laws.

The parents he said also played a major role because the respect of an iTaukei village should start from home.

“Parents should remind their children of the proper dress they can wear in the village. Village by laws when followed properly will bring peace and harmony to the village,” Ratu Katonivere said. Ratu Rokobukete said the district of Waima had five villages and they all have their by-laws.

The village turaga ni koro (Headman) is there to see that they are followed properly.

He said some people, especially the youths were using their rights to go against the village by-laws. These by laws he said were put in place by the elders and had been passed on to them.

Ratu Rokobukete said anyone breaking the village by-laws would be counsellled by the elders and if serious would be reported to police by the turaga nikoro.