A traditional welcome ceremony was accorded to the paramount chief of Rewa, the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa at Nabudrau Village in Noco, Rewa, to mark the opening of the Rewa Provincial Council Meeting yesterday.

The heavy rain was seen as a blessing and did not deter the traditional warriors and mata ni vanua from performing their traditional protocol.

Officially opening the event, Ro Teimumu welcomed the government officials, all mata ni tikina’s, mata turaga, womens’ representatives and youth to the first day of the meeting.

She said from January this year, the village headmen of Rewa had been meeting every month to try and work out development plans in the districts of Rewa.

Development projects included school plans and church plans.

Ro Teimumu said other points of discussion in the meeting would include the rising health issues of non-communicable diseases in Fiji and the need for village nurses.

She said such meetings would allow the district representatives to raise issues needed to be highlighted; and the two-day meeting would see a positive outcome when it ends today.

The provincial meeting saw the presence of chiefly representatives including mata na turaga, Noco district Ratu Isoa Damudamu, Burebasaga district Ratu Luke Vuidreketi and also  Raviravi district Ratu Kevueli Tavainavesi.

The 10 district representatives included Rewa’s Dona Takalaiyale and Alipate Senikula, Noco’s Ratu Mitieli Kubunavanua, Burebasaga’s Lemeki Ciri Nalewabau, Dreketi’s Jimilai Wainibalagi, Vutia’s Peniasi Naimoso, Toga’s Ratu Peni Torowale, Suva’s Sakiusa Naimila, Sawau’s Taitusi Vakatawase and Raviravi districts Ratu Masi Saqanavere.

The meeting ends today.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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