Fiji Times Logo

Fiji Time: 12:18 AM on Sunday 26 May

/ Front page / News

Return rights, wealth

Maciu Malo
Saturday, September 01, 2012

OWNERSHIP of fishing rights and resources below the surface of the land must be returned to the iTaukei people.

In his submission, Ba resident Valerio Daunakelo said under the current system, ownership of fisheries and mineral resources belonged to the government but this should be reviewed and returned to its rightful owners.

"My first submission is that whatever exists below six feet that is State-owned should be reverted to indigenous ownership and natural resources found therein should be owned by those registered under the Vola Ni Kawa Bula," Mr Daunakelo said.

"Fishing rights should be viewed in the same manner."

Mr Daunakelo was among the more than 40 people who attended consultations at the Fiji National University Ba Campus on Tuesday night.

Other issues submitted included one that Fiji be known as a multiracial country and English be the official language.

There were also many submissions for Fiji to be a secular State rather than a Christian one.