Yaqona farmers in the North of Fiji are being encouraged to concentrate on the substance of the proposed Kava Bill rather than the name of the former Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, which still appears at the end of the draft legislation. This call to action follows significant concerns expressed during consultations held in Labasa, where an array of farmers voiced their opposition to the Bill solely due to the former minister’s name being included.
Lead consultant Losalini Leweniqila addressed these concerns, explaining that the name cannot be removed until the Bill is finalized for presentation in Parliament. She emphasized that all amendments, including the removal of Sayed-Khaiyum’s name, will occur in a single process once the consultations conclude.
Leweniqila stated, “That would include all the feedback that we have received, largely positive, and a few that don’t support the bill. In more than one instance, they have disagreed with it because of the name, and we’ve explained that all will be changed once the bill is in its final stage for presentation in Parliament.” Importantly, she reassured the farmers that the name of the current Agriculture Minister, Tomasi Tunabuna, will be inserted after the consultation process is complete and the Bill is ready to be submitted to Parliament.
These assurances reflect a commitment to addressing the concerns of the farmers and ensuring that the legislation accurately represents the current government officials. The consultations have not only highlighted regional sentiments but also showcase the responsiveness of the authorities to stakeholder feedback, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive discussion surrounding the Kava Bill.
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