Former President and Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere has strongly endorsed the development of Fiji’s first National Rural Development Policy (NRDP), describing it as a critical step towards strengthening the wellbeing, resilience, and dignity of rural and maritime communities.
Delivering his opening address at the NRDP Multistakeholder Consultation for the Northern Division in Labasa yesterday, Ratu Wiliame spoke not only as a former Head of State, but as a paramount chief and a member of the Great Council of Chiefs, emphasising that development must be guided by stewardship of the vanua and responsibility to future generations.
From a chiefly perspective, he highlighted that true development went beyond infrastructure and services. He said it was about safeguarding dignity, strengthening self-reliance, and ensuring that progress was shared fairly among all communities, particularly those in rural and outer island areas.
Ratu Wiliame commended Government for initiating the development of the NRDP following the review of the Integrated Rural Development Framework (IRDF), noting that while past frameworks provided guidance, long-standing challenges such as access to water, roads, transport, communications, livelihoods, and essential services continued to affect rural communities, including those in the Northern Division.
He highlighted the importance of the co-creation approach, where communities, traditional leadership, government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners collectively shaped the policy. He said this approach aligned closely with traditional decision-making systems, where collective wisdom and shared responsibility guide outcomes for the vanua.
The NRDP forms part of a wider Change Management Programme by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, aimed at strengthening systems, improving coordination, and transforming how development is planned and delivered to rural and maritime communities.
Ratu Wiliame also encouraged stakeholders to engage openly and constructively, stressing that the contributions made through these consultations would shape a policy that would guide rural development in Fiji for generations to come.
His endorsement as a paramount chief, former President, and national leader reinforces the importance of the NRDP as a unifying policy framework to support inclusive, resilient, and people-centred development across Fiji.
