The chiefs of the Naitasiri province have to ask every member of their landowning unit on whether they agree to give more money to the chiefs.
The Bose Vanua of Naitasiri made a submission to Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday that they want the old system of distributing the lease money to be brought back.
Under the old system, the chiefs and the high ranked individuals get the bigger chunk of the lease money.
Speaking on behalf of the Bose Vanua, Viria Tikina Representative Penisoni Naicegulevu said if the equal distribution continues, the chiefs will not meet other contributions that are needed by the province in terms of monetary contributions.
He also said the chiefly role will not be respected by their people.
We asked the Roko Tui Naitasiri, Peni Sokia on whether this is the view of everyone receiving the lease payments and whether everyone living in Naitasiri agree with this submission.
Sokia said Commodore Bainimarama has made it clear that everyone in Naitasiri need to be consulted
We also asked Sokia whether the Bose Vanua represents the view of everyone receiving the lease money in Naitasiri and whether everyone has agreed that the chiefs should get more from the lease payment.
Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama stresses that the equal distribution of leases has been approved by the government and it will not be changed.
He also said everyone in the province should be consulted on the issue.
When the government had decided to start the equal distribution, it was suggested by Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Lt Colonel Pio Tikoduadua that those that do not agree with the equal distribution can give the extra lease money they receive now back to the chiefs of their villages
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Should Chiefs get higher lease payments?
