SALUTATIONS
Representatives of the Council of Rotuma: Gagaj Niomfag (Administrator – Council of Rotuma);
Hon. Sakiasi Ditoka, Minister for Regional Development:
Mr Vitale Vitale Varo, Commissioner Eastern;
Government Officials;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Noa’ia e Mauri, Ni sa Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
It gives me great pleasure to be with you this afternoon to officiate at the handing over of the ‘Mazda BT50 110 Manual’ 4×4 Twin-Cab vehicle to the Council of Rotuma.
143 years ago, on 12th May 1881, Rotuma was ceded to Britain and thereafter became a unique and essential part of Fiji.
In 1879 the leading chiefs requested Great Britain to annex the island via the Fiji-based British colonial administration.
Rotuma was then formally ceded on May 13, 1881 through a Letters Patent – Annexing of Rotuma 1880 and consequently incorporated into the Colony of Fiji by the British Government.
I recognise the indigenous people of Rotuma as a distinct people with their own language, culture and traditions.
I want to offer my belated congratulations to the Chiefs and people of Rotuma on the recent celebration of Rotuma Day last month.
I was on duty travel and hope that next year I will be able to celebrate this special day with you.
It gives me hope to see the reports of your enthusiastic celebration of your identity, language and culture on Rotuma day.
Today there are around 2000 people living on the island with over 10,000 on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu and thousands more around the world.
Rotuma is administratively incorporated into Fiji as a dependency, with some measure of autonomy given to local government in the current Rotuma Act where the Rotuma Island Council can make regulations for the island.
In line with Government’s obligations under the ILO Convention 169 on the Rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ I am proud to have the Office of Rotuman Affairs within my portfolio.
UNDRIP and ILO 169 recognise that indigenous peopleso have the right to free, prior and informed consent, or “nothing about us, to be decided without us.”
This means that their consent must be sought and freely given to changes that affect their institutions, their resources and their traditional decision making processes for appointment of their Chiefs.
While in Opposition I joined the ordinary people of Rotuma in opposing the two Rotuma Bills which thankfully, have now been permanently shelved.
The Peoples Coalition Government policy is that the people of Rotuma should decide for themselves their future, and to be governed by laws and systems that are in line with their culture and traditions.
The Council of Rotuma was recognised as a Local Authority under the 1970 Constitution.
On all matters regarding Rotumans, the Great Council of Chiefs would allow the representatives of the Rotuma Island Council to make “the decision” which the Chiefs would endorse.
Such was the relationship of the members of the Great Council of Chiefs and the Chiefs of Rotuma, based on mutual trust for the well-being of the Rotuman people.
The 1997 Constitution similarly recognised the cession of Rotuma in 1879. In the Compact, the 1997 Constitution recognised the right of both indigenous groups – the iTaukei and the Rotuman to “governance through their separate administrative systems,” as well as respecting the “rights of all individuals, communities and groups.
Section 185 of the 1997 Constitution similarly entrenched the Rotuma Lands Act and the Rotuma Act along with the Native Land Act, the Native Land Trust Act, Fijian Affairs Act and the Banaban Act. To be amended, these Acts required the consent of 9 of the 14 senators appointed by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.
The provision was unfortunately not included in the 2013 Constitution and so laws relating to Fiji’s indigenous peoples may be amended by government with a simple majority in the House.
As you know ladies and gentlemen, the Bose Levu Vakaturaga has been revived and I am hopeful that soon the Chiefs and people of Rotuma will have opportunity to have a say on the reform of laws relating to Rotuma for which your free, prior, informed consent is obtained via meaningful consultations.
The Council of Rotuma comprises the seven (7) District Chiefs, seven (7) elected District Representatives.
There is a small secretariat of Council staff for daily operations of the Council. With the vision to be the beacon of hope and goodwill for Rotuma and her people, the Council is tasked to ensure that communities commit to healthy living and wellbeing.
The Council also looks after overall developments on the island. The Council of Rotuma is allocated budgetary grant that is administered by the Office of the Prime Minister to support the Council’s daily operational needs and provide development assistance to communities in Rotuma.
The Council has been allocated a Government Grant of $500,000 for the 2023/2024 Financial Year.
The purchase of vehicle underwent the standard government procurement procedure and was approved by the Government Tender Board.
Provision of this additional asset for the Council, which is valued at $70,000.00 aims to provide improved mobility of Council Leaders enabling them to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently in serving the people of Rotuma. The vehicle will also assist with fleet support of the Council Office for evaluating and monitoring tasks involved with development projects.
In closing I am pleased to handover this vehicle today to the Rotuma Island Council and wish the Council all best wishes in serving the people of Rotuma.
Foi’eksia, Dhaanyabaad & Vinaka Vakalevu.