The Coalition Government is actively addressing the needs of the iTaukei community, according to Justice Minister Siromi Turaga. He announced that services recognizing the rights and requirements of the iTaukei community are being rolled out.
During his initial ministerial visit to Koro Island since taking office, Turaga highlighted that services tailored for the indigenous community are gradually becoming available. He stated, “These services will eventually grow to meet the demands of a changing world.”
Turaga acknowledged some complaints regarding delays in service delivery, emphasizing that while various government services have been established—some for the first time—it has been challenging to transition from the previous 16 years of government leadership.
He apologized for the delays, noting that thorough consultations are essential as the Government aims to be representative of the people’s needs. “We are committed to involving the community in every decision made at the government level, as we respect the vanua and the lotu. We want to set an example for the younger generation by following proper procedures.”
Turaga’s visit included collaboration with government agencies to provide services that were previously inaccessible to the residents of Koro.