Verata chief Ratu Timoci Vesikula has shown his support to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking in a talanoa session after the opening of the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting.

Vesikula said his family and the people of Tailevu support Bainimarama’s leadership and the government reforms.

He also said that although the people of Tailevu present in the talanoa session have shown their support to Bainimarama, they hope that Bainimarama will go back to them after the election.

However, Ratu Timoci Vesikula questioned the Prime Minister why all Fiji citizens are called Fijians.

He asked him what does this mean for the indigenous people who are now known as itaukei.

He also asked the Prime Minister why there is a delay in the village bylaws.

Vesikula wants the village bylaws to be introduced before the election as some people in the villages are lazy and not obeying the rules.

He also said that some people in the village are disobedient to the village elders.

While responding to Vesikula, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the support shown to him in the meeting.

Bainimarama stressed that itaukei rights and property are well protected in the 2013 Constitution.

He said having a common name of Fijian for all citizens does not take away any itaukei rights.

He said that the military sacrificed a lot to make the changes in the country over the past eight years.

Bainimarama said this is due to years of dirty politics.

He said people should change their mind set and accept the reforms brought in by the government.

The Prime Minister also made it clear that the relevant authorities are still discussing the proposed village bylaws so that it does not breach the new constitution.


Story by: Watisoni Butabua