Vacant Chiefly Titles ‘A Threat’

"Vacant chiefly titles are a threat in the development and peace of a province," says Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

He was speaking to villagers at the opening of the Rewa Provincial Council meeting at Lomanikoro Village, Rewa yesterday.

He said only 132 chiefly and customary titles in Rewa were filled. 217 remain vacant.

Mr Bainimarama said it was vital that these traditional chiefly titles were filled. This, he said, would help maintain the stability of the vanua and allow for more thorough and timely consultation on development initiatives, and more efficient execution of development projects, once the titles were approved.

“Those individuals who have not been confirmed by the iTaukei Lands Commission in the leadership positions have little or no mandate to speak for their vanua,” he said.

“I’ll give you a fair warning: Government will not allow the leadership void in the vanua to be exploited by any self- serving group. Fill the vacant positions. Do it for your people. Do it for your vanua. Do it for Fiji.”

The paramount chief of Rewa, Na Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa, agrees.

“The vacant chiefly positions need to be filled so that works needed to be done are done. Chiefly positions being filled will ensure that law and orders in villages are followed. There’s also stability in the area,” she said.

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