The province of Tailevu is set to receive major government support following the announcement of new land allocations and development projects by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo.
During his address at the Bose ni Yasana ko Tailevu, Mr Vosarogo confirmed that six acres of state land in Vunivivi have been allocated for the new Tailevu Provincial Office, while another six acres have been returned to the Mataqali Nalagobokola as part of a land reclamation initiative.
He said the government, through various ministries including Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Women and Children, and Cooperatives would continue to strengthen rural livelihoods and expand services in Tailevu.
“Tailevu has always been a province of leadership and resilience,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“Let us stand together for our children and for a stronger Fiji.”
Move to fill vacant chiefly titles
VACANT chiefly positions in Tailevu will be filled when the parties concerned agree to install a chief and work with the iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission to fulfill the process, says Tailevu Provincial Council chairman Semi Matalau.
He said of the 674 turaga ni mataqali in the province, 385 positions have been filled while 289 remained vacant.
“We also have 29 chiefly positions, but 18 are filled and 11 remain vacant while there are 176 positions for turaga ni yavusa (clan heads), of which 91 are occupied and 85 vacant,” Mr Matalau said.
“This issue is not new and has been around for a long time, from the time of our forefathers, and it’s important that those involved agree to choose a chief and appoint one as well.
“We will get there and we will resolve this matter. I am positive and I know we will do it.”
Mr Matalau said they would continue to visit villagers to remind them of the issue.
Festival to ease soli – Matalau
THE Tailevu Provincial Council will stage a festival next year aimed at easing the financial burden of annual levy (vanua soli) imposed annually upon their people.
Council chairman Semi Matalau said this was to also help fund operations of the provincial council office.
The festival will be called Adi Tailevu.
“We are proposing this festival where people of Tailevu can come together and give their soli and also a time to catch up with families and friends,” Mr Matalau said.
“This is because Government funding for the council and hosting council meetings is not enough.
“So, we need to soli from the vanua to add to that pool of funds to help the council operate such meetings like the provincial council.”
Mr Matalau said they have also drawn up programs for villagers to turn natural resources and talent to income-generating businesses.
“They need to wake up, and so the council with government departments, will work with our people to use their natural resources and make money from them.
“They can also use their talents to make handicrafts and other items to sell and earn their income so they can support themselves and the vanua.”
Call for unity to tackle social ills
MINISTER for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo has called on the vanua (traditional leadership), lotu (church), and matanitu (the Government) to unite in confronting the nation’s deepening social issues, including the alarming rise in HIV/AIDS, and violence against women and children.
Speaking at the opening of the Bose ni Yasana o Tailevu on Wednesday, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding iTaukei culture and values, applauding the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga) as a cornerstone of national identity and indigenous leadership.
Mr Vosarogo also raised the concern over the growing use of methamphetamine and marijuana, saying these substances are “destroying communities and overwhelming health and justice systems”.
“It takes a village to raise a child; it also takes a village to repair that child,” he said, emphasising the need for shared responsibility in building social values.
“Duavata ena veika kece,” he added, urging Fijians to stand together in restoring hope, discipline, and compassion across all communities.
