NABUNA Village in Tikina Cawa on Koro Island has introduced strict village by-laws aimed at curbing drug use and shielding young people from peer pressure.
Village headman Ratu Sikeli Vakaliwaliwa said elders had been actively engaging with youths and children, urging them to stay away from drugs and negative influences.
“Our elders have been talking to our youths and children, reminding them not to get involved in drugs or be influenced by peer pressure,” Ratu Sikeli said.
He said the village decided to act early as drug-related cases continued to increase nationwide.
“We cannot sit back and watch our children fall into something that will destroy their future.”
Under the new rules, a daily curfew for school students begins at 6pm.
“By 6pm, all school students must be at home. There should be no loitering in the village at that time.”
Ratu Sikeli said the by-laws were designed to keep children safe, focused on their education and away from environments that could expose them to drugs or other harmful behaviour.
The village is also taking a firm stance against anyone found planting marijuana or in possession of illicit drugs.
“If anyone is caught planting marijuana or found with drugs, the matter will be reported to the police and they will be asked to vacate the village.”
Ratu Sikeli said Nabuna Village would not tolerate drug-related activities and hoped the by-laws would send a strong message to the community.
He added that cooperation from families and the wider community would be crucial to the success of the initiative.
“Parents and guardians must work with us, because protecting our children is everyone’s responsibility.”
Village seeks clarity on legal powers of village leaders
NASAGA Village in the tikina of Bureta, Ovalau, is calling on the Government to visit rural communities and clarify the legal powers of village leaders, particularly in enforcing village bylaws and addressing drug-related offences.
Village headman Noa Bolevakadinata said the community wanted stronger guidance from authorities on how traditional village rules could be enforced without exposing leaders to personal liability.
“We are requesting the Government to visit our village and enlighten us on what powers the village headman has,” Mr Bolevakadinata said.
He said the village had sought advice from the police on when it could legally establish by-laws that would allow firm action against drug-related activities.
“Our concern is that if we set strong rules, the headman will be held accountable,” he said.
Mr Bolevakadinata said the village wanted clear direction on whether decisions made during village meetings and Bose ni Vanua could be officially recognised and enforced.
“We want village by-laws discussed in the village meeting and Bose ni Vanua to be allowed to be followed.”
He said drug-related issues were an increasing concern in the community and the village wanted a lawful process to deal with offenders.
“If someone is found in possession or involved in illegal drug dealings, we will report them to the police and ask them to vacate the village.”
Mr Bolevakadinata stressed that the village was not seeking to replace law enforcement but to support police efforts through clear, legally backed community rules.
He said Government intervention would help strengthen village leadership and provide certainty for chiefs and headmen dealing with serious social issues.
Community takes hard line on drugs
TIKINA o Vaturova in Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu, has joined a growing number of villages taking a strong stance against drugs, announcing that anyone found planting marijuana or involved in dealing illicit substances will be reported to the police and removed from the village.
Roko for Tikina o Vaturova, Maikeli Vosaki, said the decision was made through the Bose ni Vanua, the traditional forum where villages raise concerns and recommend actions based on challenges faced in their communities.
“Our village by-laws have not been gazetted, and the only laws followed by the villages and tikina, like Tikina o Vaturova, are through the Bose ni Vanua,” Mr Vosaki said.
He added that the tikina was also cracking down on serious
theft, including stealing yaqona or grog from farms.
“One law being given for Tikina Vaturova is that if anyone is found to be planting marijuana or involved in the dealings of illicit drugs, they will be removed and asked to vacate the village after being reported to the police,” he said.
“This law also applies to those found stealing yaqona from farms or any type of stealing that is classified as a high case.”
He urged parents to actively monitor their children to prevent involvement in drug-related activities.
“Parents must keep a close monitor on their children and make sure they do not get involved with drugrelated issues.”
The move reflects a growing trend of villages taking community-led action to protect families and maintain safety.
