The National Council For Building A Better Fiji this afternoon endorsed the publication of a Draft Peoples Charter for Change Peace and Progress.

The Fifth Meeting which was held at Nasova discussed the reports and recommendations of the three National Task Teams which highlighted critical issues affecting the country.

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, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting and has 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 a 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 one of the issues on growing the economy, a major recommendation that the NCBBF has agreed 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.

The draft of the Peoples Charter will be released tomorrow by the NCBBF.

Join us from 6am tomorrow for more on the NCBBF recommendations and what the draft Peoples Charter is expected to contain.