iTAUKEI make up the most of Fiji’s poorest and they need to look at themselves to get out of poverty, says Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu.
“It has been said that we are poor people,” Mr Vasu said.
“But I have yet to see that. Those that are living in poverty on our land are choosing to be poor.
“They want to be poor.”
iTaukei Trust Fund Board CEO Aisake Taito said about 70 percent of Fijians living under the poverty line were iTaukei.
“According to studies done a couple of years ago, it was discovered that 70 per cent of those living in poverty were iTaukei, these are the poorest among the poor,” Mr Taito said.
“It is true what the minister said that a lot of those that are poor are choosing to be poor.
“Maybe because we are not making use of our resources, or we are not enquiring with the different government agencies, or we are not working together to develop our resources.”
Adding to this, Mr Vasu said initiatives such as the Vuda Strategic Development plan would ensure iTaukei people were able to bring themselves out of poverty.
“This is why I am grateful that the Vanua o Vuda has put together a strategic plan for them to follow that will ensure the development of their resources.
“The iTaukei Affairs Ministry and the iTaukei Trust Fund Board have been working together to introduce these strategic plans for landowners.
“It is part of our work to assist our iTaukei community to develop business plans for the use of their natural resources.”
Yesterday Mr Vasu launched the Tikina o Vuda Strategic Development Plan, the Tikina o Vuda Business Plan and the Tokatoka Sawaieke Business Plan.
