Representatives from the 16 districts of Naitasiri gathered today at Tamavua Village for their annual provincial council meeting.
Head of State, His Excellency, President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere opened the meeting with Naitasiri High Chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, also in attendance.
In his address, President Katonivere emphasised the importance of collaboration and collective effort, values deeply rooted in the iTaukei culture.
The Head of State said that in the iTaukei culture, cooperation to achieve goals is a way of life.
“It is customary for a community to unite and collaborate to achieve significant goals, and I believe you have been working together to address the resolutions of your provincial council meeting in 2023.”
“It is very important for us to reflect on our roles and responsibilities towards the Vanua, the Church, our tikina, villages, and family units to ensure our well-being,” stated His Excellency.
“As citizens of this nation, it is our responsibility to work together towards progress not only for our nation but for our provinces. We should encourage our youth to avoid living a life of dependency and to actively support their growth in education, culture, spirituality, and mentality through learning, training, and building strong relationships.”
President Katonivere adds that; “Diligence, unity, and faith play a vital role in nurturing peace, development, and well-being in families, communities, religious spaces, and relationships. It's important to approach our work with integrity, dedication, and a willingness to consider the viewpoints of others.”
“I have been briefed by government officials on the development plans for the province of Naitasiri and the challenges that are being faced in improving the infrastructure, including roads, water supply, electricity, and communications. I understand the difficulties that the province is experiencing, and it's comforting to know that Government is aware of these issues and has a broad strategy in place to address them."
“We must show our support for development here on our end, as it is the cornerstone of our success and preparedness. Aim to achieve self-reliance so that we are less dependent on others for our needs and plans. This will allow us to engage confidently with those who will assist and contribute to our development efforts.”
The Head of State warmly expressed appreciation for the council members, government officials, youth, and women representatives, recognizing their collaborative efforts in driving development progress within the province of Naitasiri.
Turning to health, His Excellency expressed concern about the rise of the many lifestyle-related or non-communicable diseases.
“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported that 80% of local health crises are caused by infectious diseases,” he said.
“The question is: What can we, as a province, do to combat this problem? I challenge the province of Naitasiri to return to the foundations of life that our ancestors thrived on for so long—their success came from nourishing themselves with food grown from the land.”
“As our circumstances improve, so too will the success of our country, our nation, and the environment we care for,” said His Excellency.
Nonetheless, the Head of State said a more menacing threat lives amongst us now – drugs calling on the province to take action.
“The influx of drugs in our society is deeply troubling as it undermines our family bonds, our communities, and our faith. I believe the only way we can overcome this challenge is to rebuild our family connections and provide support. Our children are particularly vulnerable, and I appeal to you to stand with us in this battle and to bring attention to the issues surrounding the illegal use and abuse of drugs in our country."
His Excellency adds that the use of drugs among our youth brings shame, sorrow, and pain, and impedes the progress of our children and families.
“We are confronted with a serious challenge and we must remain vigilant and take action. The government is urging cultural and religious groups, as well as our cities and towns, to come together to safeguard lives from illicit drugs. This is crucial, but we must also work together to fight against the use, transportation, and distribution of harmful drugs.”
“As a province, it is our responsibility to impart the values and behaviors of our ancestors to the next generations through our actions and words. Let us proudly re-establish these traditions.”
“In light of observed differences within our societies between the church and Government, it is imperative to emphasize the preservation and protection of the foundations of the iTaukei people, namely the Vanua, the Church, and the Government,” concluded His Excellency.
The province of Naitasiri comprises 16 districts and 91 villages. Their provincial council meeting will conclude on Friday, September 6th.