Yaro villagers at Kia Island commended the touring Government officials for answering their queries after they claimed they were lied to during last the election campaign.

Turaga ni Yavusa Jovilisi Katonibau said their questions about promises made for the projects and the loss of indigenous ownership rights have now been clarified.

“It is fulfilling to get some of our long standing questions answered,” Mr Katonibau said.

“We hear a lot of things unofficially around the kava bowl from other people who visit the village. We do not know what to believe and we are thankful that we can finally get confirmation from officials.

“I would like you to know that the rights of the iTaukei including rights to their land remain strongly in place and guarded,” divisional planning officer northern Alipate Bolalevu assured the villagers.

He said Government’s objective was to lay a new platform of reassuring the grassroots people in the maritime and rural communities.

“It is also the intention of Government to educate the people on politics,” he said.

The Government team and media journalists last week took a one-week tour of the area starting in Yadua Island, Bua and ending at Kioa in Cakaudrove.

They visited most outlying smaller islands in Vanua Levu and had talanoa sessions with the people.

Feedback:  peni.drauna@fijisun.com.fj