Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted to the members of the Tailevu Provincial Council yesterday that about one-third of Fiji's population living below the poverty line, are Indigenous Fijians.

Commodore Bainimarama added they also make up the highest number of inmates in prison and majority of the youths that smoke marijuana are Indigenous Fijians.

He said that all these eventuate because we do not take responsibility for what is happening to youths around us, we do not take heed of their needs in society and their voice is not heard in village meetings, and therefore they feel that they are not wanted in society.

Bainimarama added that if we want our younger generation to be more competent in life, than we should show them our support.

Indigenous Fijians are well known for their relaxed attitude towards development, education and improving living standards in the villagers, something Commodore Bainimarama re-assures that people need to change their mind-set if they are to be successful in life.