Comments Do Not Bother Me

Lau high chief and chairman of the Lau Provincial Council Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has today stressed that he is not bothered by comments from a person like Anare Jale who is instigating the move to sever Ono-i-Lau's ties with Lau and joining with Tonga.

In exclusive interview with Fijivillage, Mara said Jale is a commoner and the meetings he had last night on Ono-i-Lau to sever ties with Lau, did not even have the Tui Ono present in the meet.

Mara also said Jale should not say anything about Tonga as he does not have any links to the island kingdom.

"I’m not all concerned by that coming from Jiale and his so-called group. If those concerns were shown by the Tui Ono, then I’d have some concerns. But coming from a commoner like Jiale, it’s an insignificant matter. For the record Jiale is from Vatoa and not Ono, so he should not be talking about links to Tonga because he does not have any ancestral links to Tonga." Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.

When questioned on whether these developments are due to political differences within the council, Mara said the best thing is to move the nation forward.

"There may be. I’m not aware of ... There may be political moves within the province. It doesn’t concern me. As I’ve told the council, we should put our political differences aside and unite, and try and move the province and the country forward." Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.

Anare Jale is claiming that he had the support to become the chairman of the Lau Provincial Council but he was deliberately not allowed to be the Ono-i-Lau tikina rep for the council.

Jale has refused to make any further comments. However, he confirmed that the tikina Ono-i-Lau will meet in Laqere tomorrow to discuss all these matters.

Meanwhile, the proposed tikina representative for Ono-i-Lau Anare Jale and the proposed representative for Oneata Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce cannot qualify to represent their tikina in the Lau Provincial Council at this stage.

Under the Fijian Affairs Act, it is clear that a person seeking to represent a tikina in a Provincial Council shall be qualified to be elected a member of such a Provincial Council, if at the date of his nomination as a candidate for election, he has been a resident in such tikina for a period of more than 12 months, in the aggregate out of the two years immediately preceding such nomination.

The final approval on who should be part of the Provincial Council is given by the Minister for Fijian Affairs.

Lau Chiefs Asked For Forgiveness
Publish date/time: 27/06/2008 [07:31]
The Tikina Ono-i-Lau presented their matanigasau to the chiefs of Lau and their chairman Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara last night to ask for forgiveness for the outburst of their nominee, Anare Jale who claimed that he was supposed to be the new chairman of the province.

Mara said Jale should know better as a former civil servant and he should have understood the regulations under the Fijian Affairs Act.

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"I think what happened yesterday was a misunderstanding with Jale himself. He wasn’t a member yet his membership was to be then determined at the meeting. If he was to be in the meeting. And we also must understand is that provincial councils is an extension of the government to the provinces and is governed by certain government regulations so the minister has the discretion whether he approves or disapproves any membership. Even if it is nominated by the tikina, yasana the final approval is given by the Minister." Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara


Jale and Sakiusa Raivoce from the Tikina Oneata were not allowed into the Lau Provincial Council meeting after receiving letters from the Fijian Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ratu Meli Bainimarama that they are not eligible to represent their respective Tikinas.

Lau Chief Challenges Opposers
Publish date/time: 27/06/2008 [07:24]
Lau high chief Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara is challenging anyone who questions his appointment as the new chairman of the Lau provincial council.

Mara said he knows clearly what is stated under the Fijian Affairs Regulations of his eligibility to the post.

Meanwhile Roko Ului stated people that should not see him negatively as a Military officer, as he has a duty to play his part and serve his people.

Jale, Raivoce Do Not Qualify
Publish date/time: 27/06/2008 [07:27]
The proposed tikina representative for Ono-i-Lau, Anare Jale and the proposed rep for Oneata Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce cannot qualify to represent their tikina in the Lau Provincial Council at this stage.

Under the Fijian Affairs Act it is clear that a person seeking to represent a tikina in a Provincial council shall be qualified to be elected a member of such provincial Council if at the date of his nomination as a candidate for election, he has been resident in such tikina for a period of more than 12 months in the aggregate out of the two years immediately preceding such nomination.

The proposed tikina rep should also have his name appearing on the electoral roll for the tikina which he seeks to represent.

The final approval on who should be part of the Provincial Council is given by the Minister for Fijian Affairs.