Efforts are ongoing to strengthen the recognition of customary positions held by indigenous communities in the country. The recognition of these positions will greatly support leadership in the community, church, and state.
In Tailevu, there are 879 customary positions, out of which 483 are currently recognized and 396 are not. This information was shared by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting held at Vuci, Tokatoka, on Thursday.
Rabuka emphasized that conducting evaluations of the villages that lack recognition for their customary positions reveals a disengagement from developmental efforts, and that local laws are not being adhered to properly, negatively impacting community benefits.
He acknowledged that the recognition of customary practices aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The government is diligently pursuing various strategies aimed at enhancing the lives of indigenous communities today, focusing particularly on economic assistance and empowering local businesses, strengthening land development, and supporting small enterprises and community cooperatives.
The government’s agenda is based on three key pillars to bolster the economic welfare of the country: enhancing economic resilience, empowering the community, and promoting good governance. The prime minister mentioned that this initiative is rooted in encouraging support and empowerment among community members and is primarily directed towards indigenous people.
In other developments, the general outpatient department at Korovou Hospital has been upgraded, along with medical facilities in Nausori and Dogo in Nananu.
Additionally, there are 75 youth organizations within the province that have requested further support for the development of youth groups in local communities, with assistance provided from both the Ministry of Youth and other governmental arms for their activities.
In agriculture, 48 percent of the province’s population is engaged in farming, focusing on crops such as taro, cassava, bananas, yaqona, and other produce including ginger, turmeric, sweet potatoes, and pineapples.
Furthermore, there are currently 738 fishing licenses and 144 aquaculture licenses within the province, with plans for an ice plant in Natovi. The government is also working to support rural and outer island development with an allocation of $3.2 million specifically for the benefit of indigenous communities.
The Prime Minister noted that several pressing issues are affecting these communities and emphasized the importance of discussing key topics such as climate change adaptation, environmental preparedness, promoting local developments, preserving cultural practices and languages, and providing education for young people, as well as correctly utilizing natural resources.
He underscored that it is a challenging time for indigenous communities, but highlighted the importance of maintaining cultural values and practices that significantly contribute to their identity.