The Great Council of Chiefs has decided that the new system of the distribution of the iTaukei land lease should be based on the Mataqali head getting 7 percent of the lease money, the Yavusa head getting 5 percent, the Turaga Ni Koro 3% and the rest of the money to be equally divided amongst the members of the mataqali.
Permanent Secretary for i-Taukei Affairs Pita Tagicakirewa has clarified this when questioned on the endorsement of the lease distribution policy announced by the GCC Chair and Minister for iTaukei Affairs.
He says the previous arrangement was 5, 10 and 15 percent, which means the new proposal is based on lower percentage given to the Mataqali head, Yavusa head and Turaga Ni Koro.
He adds this endorsement brings back the old system in a reduced rate, while recognizing the current equal distribution system.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted that all the papers that have been endorsed will be referred to cabinet for the final decision.
The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Jone Kalouniwai states that the RFMF will not be pressing any charges against former senior military officer, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara for desertion.
Major General Kalouniwai says with the growing interest in the recent return of Ratu Tevita back into the country, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the possibility of him facing a General Court Martial due to claims that he was a Deserter, contrary to section 37 (2) (a) of the Army Act 1955.
The Army Commander says the RFMF wishes to advise that Ratu Tevita Mara applied for his resignation of Commission and discharge from the RFMF on the 29th of March 2011.
This was approved by the Commander of the RFMF on the 31st of March 2011 and subsequently gazetted on the 20th of May 2011.
Major General Kalouniwai says this effectively meant that Ratu Tevita was no longer a member of the RFMF, hence no longer subjected to military law from 31st March 2011 onwards.
The Commander says Ratu Tevita absconded Fiji on 9th May 2011 while facing a sedition charge from the State in the Magistrates Court.
Meanwhile Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Lee Burney, has already decided that there will be no reinstatement of charges against Ratu Tevita following a review of the matter.
The Assistant DPP says following a review of the police file and the evidence, there was insufficient evidence to support any criminal charges.
The docket has been returned to police with the instructions that Ratu Tevita’s name be removed from the watch list and no further action is required.
Permanent Secretary of iTaukei Affairs, Pita Tagicakirewa confirms that Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara did not attend the Great Council of Chiefs meeting on Bau Island.
He says he is not really aware of the discussions that are going on in regards to Ratu Tevita.
Tagicakirewa says what he can confirm is that Ratu Tevita did not attend the 2 day GCC meeting.
Ratu Tevita was in the list to attend the meeting but he did not show up.
Meanwhile, Ratu Tevita was seen on the island of Bau on Wednesday.
He and his delegates presented their i-tatau to the Tunitoga, Jack Aisea Komaitai before departing the island.
Ratu Tevita refused to take any questions when we approached him on Bau Island.
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