The iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu has expressed concerns that the ongoing vacancies in traditional roles and titles are contributing to the drug abuse issue in Fiji, negatively impacting the indigenous community. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to filling these vacant titles as a means to tackle the drug crisis.
Vasu highlighted the interconnectedness of the three pillars of the vanua, which include the iTaukei community, natural resources, and cultural heritage. He noted that drug problems have infiltrated the vanua due to structural weaknesses within society, allowing the issue to escalate without proper oversight.
The Coalition Government recognized the severity of the drug problem upon taking office, acknowledging its detrimental effects on both urban areas and iTaukei communities. Vasu mentioned that there have been perceptions of negligence regarding the vanua’s response to the issue, but he insists that drugs pose a significant challenge that requires a comprehensive strategy.
To address this, the ministry has initiated a proactive approach alongside the Veitarogivanua-Native and Fisheries Commission, which is actively visiting villages to fill the vacant traditional roles. This new strategy marks a shift from their previous practice of only entering villages during title disputes, and it has been met with enthusiasm by the community.
Vasu reported that five provinces have already benefitted from this initiative, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating commitment to filling traditional titles as an essential step in combating the drug crisis. He also indicated that follow-up training would be implemented soon, with a focus on empowering traditional leaders as part of this hands-on effort.