THE Nadroga Navosa Provincial Council says it will not force the separation of the province unless there is a clear indication that the move is supported by its people.
Assistant roko tui Nadroga Rusiate Raidaveta said the council would not go around asking people for their views.
He said it was up to the districts to decide which province they wanted to be affiliated with.
"We cannot force people or districts to form a new province," Mr Raidaveta said.
"It's up to the districts to decide what they want — we cannot go asking them which province they want to be affiliated to.
"The villagers are free to express their views as long as they are happy with the services they get.
"There have been no recent discussions by the council with regards to the separation of the provinces."
Mr Raidaveta said the council acknowledged the government's initiative to provide Navosa a set of government officials to serve the area.
He said the decentralisation of services would benefit the people in many ways.
"It will be easy for Navosa to have a provincial administrator and other government departments of its own," Mr Raidaveta said.
"The people of Navosa need infrastructure assistance as some villages are still inaccessible by vehicles."
Mr Raidaveta said the majority of funds allocated by the government in the past three years were used on the Navosa people.
"Many new roads were constructed, including the Nasauvakarua road which is currently being constructed.
"The council has endorsed that all major projects such as roads, health and education focus on the highlands."