"Go Back Home": Ratu Meli

If you have nothing to do in Viti Levu, please return to the village.

This advice comes from Ratu Meli Saubulinayau, the chair of the Lau Provincial Council. Ratu Meli noted that 90 per cent of Lauans reside in Viti Levu, with some living on the streets.

He expressed hope they would return to their villages and use the available resources.

“We are attempting to help them off the streets,” Ratu Meli said during day one of the Lau Provincial Council meeting at Studio Six in Suva yesterday.

“It’s possible, since boats travel to Lau almost every week.

“However, convincing them to return is another matter, especially considering human rights.

“They must be willing to return.

“We encourage Lauans in Viti Levu to go back to their villages if they have no business here.”

Ratu Meli pointed out that Lauans leave their island for higher education and employment.

“If we had tertiary institutions and employment opportunities on the islands, there would be no reason to come to Viti Levu,” he added.

The Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, supports Ratu Meli’s advice, expressing concern over the increasing number of iTaukei youths becoming street dwellers.

“When visiting the 14 provinces, one of the issues that I have discussed with the provincial office is how they can look into empowerment programmes for the youths in villages,” the minister said.

“We have seen how youths have engaged in this.

“There is life in our villages.

“There is huge potential out there; the challenge is on our youths.

“If we can really turn around our youths to ensure their participation in farms, village businesses, and other programmes, then I believe our future will be bright.”

Ratu Meli also emphasised the importance of fulfilling traditional roles.

“We are encouraging village chiefs to diligently gather support for the installation of the liuliu-ni-mataqali (head of the clan) and liuliu-ni-yavusa (head of the tribe),” he said.

“They are responsible for this task.

“If they are unwilling, that would be challenging for us. But we can only encourage them.”

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