WE’RE SORRY: KADAVU LANDOWNERS
VILLAGERS OFFER TRADITIONAL APOLOGY TO GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. Representative assures the delegation that steps are being actively pursued to discuss how to work with stakeholders in tackling the illegal drug trade.
Atraditional apology was presented to the Government by the people of Gasele and Nauciwai in Yale, Kadavu for the involvement of its villagers in illegal activities.
The apology was presented by Paula Bulivou the Turaga ni Mataqali Yavusamatai for the Yavusa Niubuto in Gasele.
It happened during the Fiji Police Force Community Outreach Awareness Programme in Kadavu last week, held in partnership with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and Government departments.
Mr Bulivou said the involvement of their youths in illegal activities portrayed a bad image not only for the two villages but for Kadavu as a whole.
He assured the delegation that steps were being actively pursued to discuss how to work with stakeholders in tackling the illegal trade.
In accepting the traditional apology on behalf of Government, the Divisional Police Commander South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pita Keni acknowledged the vanua’s support towards efforts in combating illicit drugs for the sake of the future generation.
Community outreach
The apology was made on the margins of the Fiji Police Force Community Awareness Outreach.
The aim is to change the perception towards efforts in combating the illegal drug trade on the island.
The Director Community Policing
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bereta Naisua said the outreach team consisting of senior officers, officials from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and other Government departments.
She said it focused on strengthening the vanua and religious partnerships with stakeholders noting that Kadavu was still deeply rooted in its traditional ways.
SSP Naisua said having officials gave villagers the chance to get issues clarified, in particular with the measures and actions to be taken against those involved in the cultivation of marijuana
in their respective villages.
Drug reports
Between June 19, 2020 and March 2022, there have been 121 reported drug cases in Kadavu.
These include the unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
From these 121 cases there were 127 arrests, the highest number of those arrested were aged between 18-35 years, recording 86 arrests.
SSP Naisua said the intent of the outreach was to focus on how best the
Vanua can assist the Fiji Police in the maintenance of law and order, the formations of crime prevention committees in villages, Tikinas and the provincial council.
She said the turnout of youths was very encouraging and there were positive responses from elders who assured the delegation of their support and assistance in eradicating drugs.
The visitation covered villages in the districts of Yale, Nakasaleka, Naceva and Ono.