Significant increase in new entries for registration into the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) has been noted for the last six months.
The office of the iTaukei Lands & Fisheries Commission (TLFC) in the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs has recorded a significant increase in iTaukeis coming forward to register new members in the VKB.
The VKB, which is a register for iTaukei’s, determines membership into a yavusa (tribe) or mataqali (clan), verifies access to mataqali owned lands and is also an avenue that justify title holders within iTaukei communities.
In a comparative analysis for January to June 2010 and 2011, a 97 per cent increase to numbers of new entries into the VKB was noted.
For 2010 there were 2049 new entries into the VKB for the period studied, and the total for 2011 was a staggering 4039.
The month of May recorded the highest increase where a total of 1077 new entries were registered in 2011, compared to 502 for 2010. This includes both newborn and adult members of the mataqali.
iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission chairman Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua said the office encountered renewed interest in VKB registration from iTaukei’s in the last six months.
There have been cases of whole families coming in to be registered and surprisingly quite a number of senior citizens who have never been registered are now coming to be registered for the first time.
“This is a welcome sign as it shows that the iTaukei communities are now pro-active in registering themselves into the VKB,” Ratu Viliame said.
iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary Savenaca Kaunisela said the increase was attributed to a number of factors. He said that policy changes relating to distribution of lease proceeds by the Government early this year played a significant role in the realization on the importance of being registered in the VKB.
The new policy distribution formula ensures equal distribution among members and the prerequisite for receipt of funds, is proof of registration in the VKB.
In addition growth in rural development that is based on various government initiatives such as commercial farming, mining and the registration of iTaukei lands into the “Land Bank”, have stirred up interest for iTaukei participation.
More importantly, compensation for resource owners for the use of their resources in these developmental ventures is likewise distributed based on the VKB register.
The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, as part of its commitment to the Peoples Charter for Change and Progress is closely monitoring activities within iTaukei communities in response to various policies and developmental programs that impacts them and their resources.