Concerns were highlighted during the Soqosoqo Vakamarama meeting on the few contradictions on the draft Village Bylaws yesterday.

The President of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro said:  “Some of these women are seeing the bylaws for the first time when it was distributed today which obviously shows that they are not aware of it.”

One main concern highlighted in the meeting was leadership in the village. It was discussed that leadership should be from the vanua and the voice of the vanua should be heard, not always the Turaga-ni-koro.

“The Turaga-ni-koro is a Government appointee who should be responsible for the development activities within the village,” Adi Finau said.

“Although the bylaws have provisions for women’s committee, which is good, we don’t know how that works,” she added.

In the meeting, Adi Finau encouraged the members to study the bylaws and if there are views and concerns, it should be submitted on December 15 to be conveyed with the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.

Two of the other items discussed in the meeting were:

             Strategic plans – the strategic plans needs to be strictly followed

             Women expo – each province will be submitting FJ$5000 towards the development plans.

More ideas in submissions

The return of the Great Council of Chiefs, the iTaukei language and identity were submissions made on the draft Village Bylaws on Tuesday.

The third public consultation on the bylaws was conducted for the Suva-Nausori corridor. The consultation was held at the Rishkul Sanatan College Hall in Nasinu.

On his submission, Mitieli Wawaqavou of Kalabu Housing, Valelevu, said the Great Council of Chiefs and the old system of leasing land should be bought back.

Joana Vuanivono of Nasinu said on her submission that parents’ roles in villages should be restricted and she supported the implementation of the Village Bylaws to awaken a villager’s roles and responsibilities.

Filipe Komai of Sawaeke, Gau, on his submission, questioned the true meaning of the word vanua, believed the village headman should be given the responsibility of welcoming domestic and foreign visitors to the village and be given accountability as well.

Mr Komai also mentioned the upgrade of healthy living and proper sanitation in villages as well as all the belief that village headmen should have proper identification with them at all times.

Mr Komai said there are certain things that needed to be included. One example he said was how those who were unemployed in the urban areas, should return to the village and utilise the land.

“Overall the submissions that we have received has been in support for the reinstatement of the Village Bylaws,” said Mr Komai.

Chairman of the Village Bylaws consultation, Saimoni Waibuta said the turnout by the public had been good.

The panel also announced that village nurses will now be known as community health workers by next week after an agreement will be made between the iTaukei Affairs Board and the Ministry of Health.

All submissions on Tuesday were taken into consideration by the panel. Consultation will continue today at the Nadroga Provincial Council.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj