Minister Vasu clarifies reps for GCC
tribal leaders.
The GCC meeting will reconvene for the first time after 11 years on Bau Island from May 23 to 25.
It was dissolved in 2012 by the Voreqe Bainimarama Government, which argued that it was outdated and had been used by some members for political gain. Mr Vasu said the first meeting would be an orientation exercise where the GCC review committee would brief reps on points raised by the public during ongoing public consultations.
The GCC review committee, led by Jone Baledrokadroka, was conducting public consultations in Nadi and would be in Lautoka today. The committee has been tasked to evaluate how the GCC functions and provide recommendations for its improvement.
Mr Baledrokadroka served in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for 20 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Who will be the reps
The committee members who were running all matters with regards to the GCC were dealing with provincial council offices for the representatives of the 14 provinces to the GCC meet.
Mr Vasu said the names of the representatives had been finalised from the provincial council offices and a programme had already been set tentatively.
It would be released soon with the names of those who would be expected to sit during the first meeting in a few weeks’ time.
Why the GCC?
Mr Vasu said the GCC was needed to preserve iTaukei culture and traditions.
He said there was a need for an institution that would benefit all iTaukei people, as governments would come and go.
He added that the GCC would help preserve iTaukei resources and land, which were things that needed to be protected for future generations.
Mr Baledrokadroka said the convening of the GCC this month was to consult members of the review and the structure of the GCC to the future.
He said the review committee would solicit all the views of the public and put them to the minister and the cabinet, who would make a decision on how to revamp the GCC if it were to be reconvened in the future.