ITaukei get Special Attention in Changes Planned for 100-day Goal
Among the raft of changes promised by the coalition Government in 100 days after being sworn in, is a special attention on iTaukei. Under iTaukei Affairs heading the following plans are listed:
Review laws that marginalise iTaukei
Remove the current Government by-laws for villages and strengthen the existing legislation as stipulated in the Fijian Affairs Act
Reinstate the Great Council of Chiefs to facilitate the voices and intent of the iTaukei traditional leadership and administration
Institutional review of the iTaukei Land Trust Board role and Land Bank
Removal of Soli ni Yasana (provincial levy) from redeployment/reallocation from the existing budget.
The focus on the iTaukei comes as no surprise because the majority of those who voted for the coalition were iTaukei. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said that this does not mean that other races are being neglected.
His Government will give equal attention to the other races too. The planned review of laws that marginalise iTaukei is designed to provide economic empowerment to them.
It relates to the use of their land and natural resources. More than 91 per cent of the country’s total land mass belongs to iTaukei and is owned communally.
Most of the land is leased under the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Land Bank. The review will address whether the iTaukei are getting an equitable return for their land.
It is not clear whether it will also cover the controversial Qoliqoli Bill which was being considered by the late Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase before he was overthrown in a military coup in 2006 by then RFMF Commander Voreqe Bainimarama.
The plan to remove the village by-laws introduced by the FijiFirst Government and return to the old traditional system needs to be considered very carefully.
That would return the power back to the traditional chiefs. At the moment, the turaga ni koro (village headmen or headwomen) appear to have assumed that power because they are paid an allowance by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
They have become the chief administrator in the villages in matters of law and order and the maintenance of peace. When villagers apply for Government assistance, they need the signatures of the turaga ni koro to verify that they live in the villages.
The chiefs and elders are recognised in traditional ceremonies and major functions. They are ceremonial leaders. The change could help strengthen their traditional influence and mana.
This ties in with the move to reinstate the Great Council of Chiefs. The role of the GCC should be clearly defined and this may require a review.
There should be a purpose that justifies its existence in terms of cost. Previously, it was like a social gathering, a talk-fest, with no clear goals. It needs to be modernised so chiefs keep abreast with new socioeconomic changes and the challenges facing their people and how to address those issues.
They need training and advice from experts and specialists who can assist them understand the difficult issues.
Some of the challenges that previously were confined to urban areas have now found their way into villages and the traditional leadership must be equipped to deal with them.
Another outstanding matter that concerns Government is the number of disputes over chiefly titles and vacant titles. That should be treated as priority because without a leader a village will drift into unchartered waters. Already it is being blamed for the increase in anti-social behaviour and lawlessness.
Let’s hope the proposals will produce positive changes. nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj