Today, ownership in common by the iTaukei of their tribal lands according to their tradition, custom and usage is enshrined in sec­tion 3 of the iTaukei Lands Act and section 28 of the 2013 Constitution.

With the iTaukei owning 92 per cent of all lands in Fiji. We are one of only two countries in the world [the other is Bolivia] where the indigenous people still own the majority of all lands. For Fiji, it all dates back to those historic and consequential decisions taken by the GCC at their meeting in Bua in De­cember 1879.

So, given this enormous contribu­tion by the GCC in the protection of iTaukei ownership in common of their customary lands, and the outstanding leadership role of Ratu Sir Lala Suku­na in the reform of management of all iTaukei land, in order to accommodate the land needs of all citizens of Fiji, it is hard to comprehend why the Bain­imarama-led Government unilaterally decided to abolish the GCC and to dis­continue our commemoration of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna as a national holiday

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Story By: Jioji Kotobalavu

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