Terminated Great Council of Chiefs Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini has raised concern on why there is a change in the Ministry of Fijian Affairs in becoming the Department of Indigenous Affairs.
The Tui Tavua believes that there should have been wide consultation between Fijian people from the village, districts and provinces before the change was made.
He has called on the current interim minister responsible to explain why they have made change to the name as most Fijian people will look at it as a degrading of the Ministry of Fijian Affairs to becoming a Department of Indigenous Affairs.
When contacted this morning, Interim Minister for Provincial Development, Multi Ethnic Affairs and Department of Indigenous Affairs Ratu Epeli Ganilau said that the Interim PM will announce to cabinet why there was a change.
Ratu Epeli said that those people commenting on the changes should check the allocation in the budget as assistance to Fijians and Rotumans remain intact.
The department has been allocated $19M in 2008 compared to $18M this year.
