Namosi no rep

The province of Namosi is likely to have no representative to the Great Council of Chiefs meeting in Bau on May 24.

This was confirmed by the Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu last night. Mr Vasu did not delve further, however he has requested the province to reconsider their decision.

“That is their decision and I respect that. They have told me that this was the decision of the vanua, the vunivalu is at Naboro so they have decided not to be represented,” Mr Vasu said.

The GCC review committee conducted public consultations at the Ro Kuruduadua House in Navua yesterday.

It is understood the directive to have no reps came from Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua who is serving time at the Naboro Corrections Facility.

Ratu Suliano was convicted of one count each of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and Obtaining Financial Advantage in August last year.

A source close to the chiefly household told the Fiji Sun this decision was a cause of a number of grievances among the vanua.

“The GCC is for the people and it is sad that the people of Namosi are not represented,” the source said.

“Namosi has to move forward and we need leadership with a vision and not one with limited hopes and aspirations.” Meanwhile, former Namosi Landowners Committee chairman Joe Tauleka also confirmed receiving the news of the decision on their representatives to the GCC.

“It has been a long time we have been pushing for the rights of the iTaukei and now that we have the GCC reconvened no one will represent Namosi,” Mr Tauleka said. “We need to support this move by Government because they are in power.

“Not having a rep at the GCC is really a concern.”