A LACK of clear communication is hindering how the concerns of the vanua reach government, says Tui Vabea, Ratu Ilitomasi Verenakadavu.
Speaking to The Fiji Times at the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting, Ratu Ilitomasi said there was widespread confusion about how people could properly raise concerns with authorities, especially in remote maritime communities.
“There are two communication channels,” he said.
“One’s going through the yasana, and it’ll go through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
“The other is through the PA (provincial administrator). Which is through the DO (district officer) as well, then it goes to the Commissioner Eastern, to the Eastern Division development committee, then to the national committee, and then to Cabinet.”
He said the communication structure and how it works were not clear to the general public, especially those in the maritime islands who could not come to the mainland to register their complaints or concerns with the relevant authorities.
“We are requesting that they give us the proper structure, so that we will know where to follow up with our complaints and concerns.
“Some of the questions raised today (yesterday) by the chiefs are already in the system, but how would they know when there’s no clear coordination channel?
Mr Verenakadavu said there was “a bit of confusion there” and hoped that this would be well-explained by government officials during today’s meeting.
