Former parliamentarian Niko Nawaikula has called on the Government to urgently progress village bylaws, warning that the lack of legal backing is leaving rural communities exposed to drugs and prompting some to take matters into their own hands.
Speaking during a Ministry of Policing and Communications consultation on Fiji’s proposed counter-narcotics law, Mr Nawaikula said rural communities must be explicitly included in the draft legislation.
“We have been complaining, complaining about the delay of the Government in bringing about the village bylaws,” he said, adding that the absence of bylaws had created confusion for village leaders responding to drug-related issues.
“To give a simple example: declaring that someone found with drugs will be forced out — no, you can’t do that legally. Without village bylaws, any action risks breaching the law,” he stressed.
Mr Nawaikula also highlighted the role of bylaws in preserving traditional order, including village customs, respect, and conduct.
