Empower vanua to fight drugs, appeals Tui Nayau

The Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara wants traditional leaders and communities to be given greater powers and resources to help protect coastal communities from drug trafficking.

In a statement titled Empower the Vanua, Ratu Tevita argued that coastal communities were best placed to protect their own waters but lacked the legal backing and resources to do so.

"We do not need more navy bases or police patrol boats. We need traditional guardians who are resourced, backed by law, and trusted to act."

He called for the restoration of customary and village by-laws removed by the previous government.

"The traditional structures are intact and ready; give them back their legal standing, funding and resources to work."

Ratu Tevita also urged authorities to provide communities with equipment, support and drug-testing kits to help identify suspicious packages.

He called on Government to restore village by-laws, provide equipment and drug testing kits to communities, and redirect resources towards frontline maritime villages.

"Equip and support our communities on the ground — the gear, the constabulary support, and drug test kits so that finds can be verified at once and dealt with without delay, before anything disappears into the wrong hands."

He criticised what he described as an overreliance on conferences and discussions while communities continued to confront the issue on the ground.

He also called for an immediate ban on unregistered and uninspected foreign vessels operating within Fiji's maritime zones.

The Lau chief warned that continued inaction could have serious long-term consequences for young people living in affected communities.

"As a chief with responsibilities to my people, I am issuing a direct warning: if Government continues to neglect our communities in the face of this crisis, the day will come when our own youth realise the true worth of these finds," he said.

"Through that gross negligence, we will have bred an entirely new generation of drug dealers. The window to act is now, and it is closing."

He called for a "whole-of-society response" involving Government, traditional leaders and communities working together to confront the growing threat.