‘No province will be spared, guard your shores’: GCC chair warns of drug threat

Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) chairperson Ratu Viliame Seruvakula has urged the people of Macuata to remain vigilant and protect their coastlines as Fiji continues to grapple with the growing threat of illicit drugs.

Speaking at the opening of the Macuata Provincial Council meeting in Naduri Village yesterday, Ratu Viliame said the Northern Division must remain free of drugs.

His comments follow recent discoveries of suspected illicit drugs in waters around Viti Levu and the Lau Group.

“The Great Sea Reef has been spared so far from drugs and it’s my plea that it remains this way,” Ratu Viliame said.

“We should be prepared and guard our shores and learn from its effects that we have seen.”

He encouraged heads of districts, villages and families to discuss drug-related issues and raise awareness among young people before drugs reach their communities.

“No province will be spared from this drug war; we can only be prepared for it.”

Ratu Viliame also expressed concern about what he described as growing dependence on Government assistance among some iTaukei communities.

“This is not part of the iTaukei culture - we are only dependent when we are alone. Our forefathers were close because they worked together (solesolevaki) and would overcome any task including wars.”

He said communities should be better prepared to respond to challenges rather than relying solely on Government support.

Ratu Viliame pointed to villages along the Wainibuka River, including his village of Nasautoka, which sought Government assistance after flooding despite earlier warnings about adverse weather.

“We should always be prepared.

“There have been many issues and we can only overcome them by working together.”