Women from Moala and Mualevu during the Lau Provincial Council meeting in Suva on August 1, 2017; Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Lau Provincial Council chairperson Ilisoni Taoba says he is impressed by the frank discussions at their meeting which ended yesterday in Suva.

Because of that it finished on a high note at Studio 6, he said.

Mr Taoba said of the past three years he had been chairperson, this year’s meeting was positive in terms of the input from various representatives, women’s group and youth groups.

He said the district representatives and groups voiced their concerns, raised questions and were not afraid to give their views.

“This showed that they wanted to share the plans of development and work together. All they ask is that we work together to achieve the same objective,” he said.

“People were open to criticise and contribute, I think it’s positive that people can open up and say what they think for the betterment of the province.”

He said by criticising you could get some positive output and it was great that people were able to speak their minds.

Lau Seascape

Lau will ask Government to provide a consultant for a three-year term to help in the Lau Seascape project.

This, after Turaga Na Roko Sau Roko Josefa Cinavilakeba of Totoya made a presentation on the project.

He said the project was supported by Conservation International (CI), the Ministry Fisheries, Pacific Blue Foundation, the Lau Provincial Council and the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network.

Roko Josefa said that the project was launched last year. District representatives, chiefs and Conservation International partners came together for the launch and a memorandum of understanding was signed.

Lau Seascape is an initiative to protect the ecosystems of the Lau Group. It aims to ensure sustainable management through a ‘ridge-to-reef-to-ocean’ approach.

Meanwhile, council members were reminded that the 10 cent levy on plastic bags began yesterday.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa.

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