TWO chiefs in the Western Division have supported recent moves by the iTaukei Affairs Board for all provincial council chairmen to be appointed by the Prime Minister and Minister for iTaukei Affairs Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
This, after the deputy permanent secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Colonel Apakuki Kurusiga confirmed to this newspaper that the chairmanship of all provincial councils would be appointed in that manner.
Col. Kurisiga further stated appointments would be made before the start of all provincial council meetings this year.
"The minister will first appoint the chairman of all provincial councils before we can decide on the meeting date," he said.
Ra Provincial Council chairman Ratu Meli Bolobolo and Ba Provincial Council chairman Ratu Meli Saukuru have rallied their support for the new chairmanship selection criteria.
The two chiefs said they supported the decision because all the meetings were funded by the government through the iTaukei ministry.
"We cannot do much because the council doesn't have enough money to host the meetings and also to fund development projects for the Ra province," said Ratu Meli Bolobolo.