The Great Council of Chiefs has endorsed the setting up of a special fund for the future of iTaukei development and the reinstatement of the old land lease distribution policy at a reduced percentage.
While briefing the media after the first sitting of the GCC on Bau Island, GCC Chair and Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu says in regards to the setting up of a special fund, funding will be sourced from the percentage of the TLTB poundage and percentage on the lease money.
He says the lease distribution policy at a reduced percentage is for the village headman, tribe leader or yavusa leader, and mataqali leaders.
He adds the remaining percentage will be distributed equally amongst the mataqali members.
When asked if the lease distribution was agreed to by the representatives, Vasu says the reps have been briefed on the recommendations and they have agreed to it.
He says they will continue to conduct consultations on the benefits of the policy.
When asked if those villagers that have benefited from the equal distribution policy have been consulted, the Minister says if people can visit a village now, they will see no development occurred.
Vasu says one of the villages received millions of dollars, but they said that they did not conduct any development in their village.
The system implemented by the former Bainimarama led government was equal lease distribution among the mataqali.
We will speak to the government today on when the changes to the law will be brought in to implement the new system.
The Minister also highlighted that the GCC review team gave an update on the consultations they have done in nine provinces.
It was endorsed that the final report be presented at a special sitting of the GCC.
Vasu highlighted that today, they will be discussing the review of the laws relating to the iTaukei.
