The National Council For Building A Better Fiji (NCBBF) has endorsed a Draft People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.

Some of the issues discussed in the Draft Charter are good governance which hopes to eradicate the coup culture which Fiji is known for, the growth of the economy, socio-cultural identity and nation building, and they have also discussed the next phase which will deal with public consultations and outreach for the Draft Charter to be taken out for further public Consultations.

The NCBBF said the Draft Charter sets out 11 key pillars and a shared vision and commitment intended to represent the collective will of the people of Fiji to create a just and fair society, achieve unity and national identity, ensure merit based equal opportunity for all citizens, guarantee transparent and accountable government, uplift the disadvantaged in all communities and secure sustainable economic growth.

Looking at some of the issues on growing the economy:

A major recommendation that the NCBBF has agreed to is that action needs to be taken in several areas to enhance our resource based sectors through improving access to land.

The Council said there should be a common legislation for the administration of all agricultural land, adopting the market based framework as provided under the Native Lands Trust Act, while retaining the meritorious aspects of ALTA, which include the provision for compensation for the value of any capital improvements on surrender of the lease.

An electoral reform package and the enhancing of the military's role in national development through legislative reform to redefine its role are also recommended.

The draft of the People’s Charter will be released this afternoon.