Chief wants more ‘responsive’ leaders

Fiji's new Constitution should have provisions which ensure that the Government of the day is more responsive to the people’s needs.

Ratu Seru Taqali, the chief of Buca Bay in Savusavu made this known to the Constitution Commission through his submission in the weekend.

Ratu Taqali said politicians and those holding high Government offices have had a tendency of making promises to the public and not fulfilling them.

He said a number of times these high profile leaders visit the villages, ‘talk big with the grass-roots’ and forget them afterwards.

Meanwhile, Ratu Taqali added that inadequate medical health care in the rural areas remained a burning issue on his list. He told the Commission that villagers have to spend a lot of money each time they have to visit hospital as they are left with little choice but to travel all the way to Labasa.

He said the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs) must be revived as this institution played a crucial role in the lives of the i-taukei people.

Ratu Taqali said presently, youths are failing to show respect to the village elders and to the Turaga ni koro (village headman). He added that this was because of the ‘too much rights’ which have been put in place by the state.

These rights, he said needs to be reviewed.

Professor Christina Murray in response told Ratu Seru that the Commission has noted down his views and many others who have submitted their views so far, have also expressed similar views on having a responsive Government in place.

By Indrani Krishna