The Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, announced that the Review Team assigned to assess the i-Taukei Affairs Act is expected to complete its work and submit its findings by the end of this month.
Vasu explained that the primary goals of reviewing the i-Taukei Affairs Act are to enhance economic employment opportunities for the i-Taukei and to reinforce Vanua governance.
In response to an oral inquiry regarding the review’s progress, Vasu stated that the efforts of the review team are guided by the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). He indicated that the review is organized into five phases, with the team providing updates to the SAG after each phase.
The review team has engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including religious organizations, NGOs, civil society groups, university students, i-Taukei institutions, women’s groups, statutory bodies, provincial councils, and the general public.
“The Review Team has consulted with various community representatives and gathered their insights. During these discussions, Fijians have shown support for the continuation of i-Taukei administration; however, they emphasized the necessity for a significant transformation in how operations are conducted,” Vasu stated. He further noted that the administration should address current issues that influence today’s developmental agenda.