Minister for i-Taukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu announced that the Review Team tasked with evaluating the i-Taukei Affairs Act is set to complete its work and deliver its report by the end of this month.
Vasu explained that the main goals of the review are to improve economic job opportunities for the i-Taukei community and to enhance Vanua governance.
Responding to an oral inquiry regarding the review’s progress, Vasu noted that the team’s activities are being overseen by the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). He stated that the review process is organized into five phases, with the team providing updates to the SAG at each stage.
The review team has engaged with various stakeholders, including religious organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), university students, i-Taukei institutions, women’s groups, statutory bodies, provincial councils, and the general public.
“The Review Team has consulted widely and gathered insights from diverse groups within the community. Feedback from Fijians indicates strong support for the continuation of i-Taukei administration, but emphasizes the need for a significant transformation in its operations,” Vasu commented. He emphasized the importance of addressing emerging issues that influence contemporary development agendas.