The provincial administrator, Rewa, has praised the “bottom up” approach of the Government’s public consultations.

Josevata Suka was one of the first people to express their views when the public consultations on Government’s development plans opened in Suva yesterday. Nationwide consultations started yesterday. They will end on July 21.

Mr Suka said he found the consultations very useful.

“This is the way the planning should be, bottom-up approach,” Mr Suka said.

He said the views brought up during the consultation were good and valid. Jyoti Prasad of Samabula said it was an eye-opener listening to other people voicing out their ideas and concerns.

“I think Government would at the end of this consultation have a very clear picture of what the people of this country want and need, it was very interesting listening to all the views raised,” Ms Prasad said.

The Government has embarked on the formulation of a five-year and a twenty year development plan.

Issues discussed at the Suva Civic Auditorium included intellectual property, preservation of the itaukei culture and traditional knowledge, aspect of service provision, government essential services, education system and minimum wage rate.

Diana Giesbrecht of Suva said it was a great chance for her to speak out.

“How else can we talk about solutions, the good news is that some dialogue is taking place and it’s important to encourage and strengthen dialogue,” Ms. Giesbrecht.

She said it would also be great to approach schools or youth groups and have strong youth participation during the consultations which was absent yesterday.

“One could have strengthened the youth’s presence here, bring a couple of good students here to participate and make comments it would be helpful in this type of forum,” Ms. Giesbrecht said.

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