GCC’s Path to Independence: What’s Holding Them Back?

The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) is not yet ready to operate with full independence, according to its chairperson Ratu Viliame Seruvakula. He stated that while discussions regarding the autonomy of the council are underway, there are several challenges that need to be addressed before it can achieve self-sufficiency.

Ratu Viliame pointed out that the concept of an independent GCC is still in the early stages, emphasizing that it’s premature to establish complete independence. He noted, “After looking at everything, we feel it’s a bit too early to create full independence for the council.” Legal considerations are significant hurdles, and as the GCC was recently re-established after a 16-year hiatus, there remains substantial work to do.

Since its reformation, the council is still in its infancy. Ratu Viliame shared that in the early days, he operated alone for about six months in his office without even a secretary. He acknowledged the ongoing internal assessments, particularly concerning the iTaukei administration, which are crucial for laying the groundwork for a more robust leadership framework.

He expressed optimism that with time and further development, the situation could improve. “Once everything is sorted and we have a clearer picture of where we stand, perhaps then we can look at independence more seriously,” he remarked. Ratu Viliame anticipates that it could take until next year or even longer for the GCC to stabilize enough to make informed decisions regarding its future autonomy.

This situation highlights the importance of patience and diligent effort in organizational rebuilding. While there’s a clear recognition of the challenges, the ongoing discussions and planned evaluations demonstrate a commitment to thoughtful progress. As the GCC works towards independence, it could potentially emerge stronger, capable of effectively serving and representing its community in the future.

In summary, while full autonomy for the Great Council of Chiefs is a distant goal, the process of building and stabilizing the council is crucial. The focus on careful planning and review ensures that when the time comes for independence discussions to advance, the council will be well-prepared to move forward.