In a bid to address over-pricing and increase accessibility, the iTaukei Trust Fund Board set up the Tabua Shop last December.
TTFB communications specialist Naina Ragigia said the facility was a one-stop shop where anyone could buy the highly regarded traditional item at a price they could afford.
“The tabua are readily available at the iTaukei Trust Fund Board (TTFB) office located at the Veivueti House, Nasese,” she said.
“They can also be viewed on our website www.itaukeitrustfund.com.fj with sizes and prices also outlined.
“Once people are satisfied with what they see and wish to purchase, they are physically required to present themselves at the TTFB office, fill out a form, submit the required identification. The form is then vetted on site by our staff and then the tabua is released to them.
Ms Ragigia said the shop had a quota of 15 tabua a month and once that is sold it is closed and restocked for the next month.
“The sale is strictly on a “first come, first served” basis and there are no reservations.
“The prices ranges from as low as $170 and go up to $860. The logic behind the price range is to make the tabua accessible to the public at prices that are affordable and this also allows the tabua to circulate within our iTaukei settings.
“We know that the prices elsewhere are exorbitant and many have been downplayed by such traders, therefore we do not want to turn away any customer by trading at skyrocketing prices.”
When asked if there was a method used to calculate prices, she said there was.
“First we conduct a test to gauge if the tabua is genuine and then there is a special formula that we use which takes into account the size and probable market value.
“We use the same formula when we purchase tabua from individuals.
“If we find out that a tabua is fake, we simply do not engage in any further transactions with whoever is selling it.
“We do not take people to task as we are not a law enforcement agency, however, their details are entered into our database through a form which is provided to them the moment they walk into our premises.”
Ms Ragigia said it was important to note that the Tabua Shop was not established to gain financially from the trading of tabua.
“We simply want to widely circulate the use of tabua to all levels of the community knowing that people are in need but often cannot afford them due to the expensive prices.”
