Less than 10 people turned up for the public consultation on the Code of Conduct Bill, Access to Information Bill and Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill at Korovou Police Bure in Tailevu North, and 2 people made submissions.
While making his submission, the Messenger Officer for the Tailevu North District Office Alipate Mulo emphasized the need for the fair distribution of development projects across the nation.
Mulo says the government stakeholders must be diligent in their work and uphold accountability when overseeing any form of development.
He also highlighted that many villagers in Tailevu North have raised concerns about frequent water cuts, with the Water Authority of Fiji failing to provide adequate services to affected areas.
Korovou Police Officer Petero Banidawa says he has attended numerous district meetings where villagers have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding electricity, water supply, roads and other infrastructural issues, however, he noted that the responses provided have not been satisfactory.
Banidawa pointed out that not all questions and concerns raised by villagers can be addressed by the District Officer alone, and therefore, he suggested that experts should also be present at such meetings to provide concrete solutions to the issues raised.
The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, says they welcome the public’s views and will consider them during deliberations.
Ratu Rakuita also acknowledged the positive response from Korovou residents regarding the Access to Information Bill.
He says that government employees, in particular, often struggle to provide answers due to a lack of accessible information, and this bill would be a valuable resource for them.
He urged the public to participate in discussions on the Constitution, which will cover the Code of Conduct Bill, the Access to Information Bill, and the Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill.
The committee will be in Navua tomorrow before continuing their consultations in the west.
