The proposals set out below cover issues which have been of great concern to
Fijians and Rotumans regarding the security of their rights
and interests as the indigenous communities in Fiji, and also the advancement
and acceleration of their development, so that they can participate on an equitable
basis in the progress of our country.
The purpose of the Blueprint is to bring together all the proposals to address
these concerns. It will be noted that fallow-up action to be
taken comprises the enactment of necessary legislation, the issuance of appropriate
Government directives and the provision of budgetary
allocations.
The Blueprint will, of course, require preparation in detail with full background
and supporting information. It will also be necessary for
individual Government Ministries to submit papers to Cabinet on specific measures
to be taken.
Much of the measures proposed in the Blueprint can be implemented in the next
two years, However, it is also proposed that a
TEN-YEAR plan for Fijian and Rotuman development be prepared. This will incorporate
the measures set out in the attached summary
Blueprint together with the development proposals in other areas. Education,
for example, is a very important area where we need to pay
greater attention in order to improve the performance of Fijian and Rotuman
children. A good and successful education is the most
effective pathway to a successful future for each individual.
The ten-year plan can also set out the broad vision for all indigenous Fijian
and Rotumans and for our country as a whole. The plan can
thus play an important role in our current endeavour to bring greater unity
to Fijians and Rotumans For it is in our unity that we can best
protect our future.
The specific proposals summarized below, together with others, will be part
of this ten year plan. It is proposed that a meeting
representative of all Fijian and Rotumans interests is to be convened by Government
early in the year 2001 to discuss and to map out what
should be in this ten year plan. This is to ensure that it is a plan for Fijians
by Fijians for their future.
Indigenous Fijians and Rotumans make up more than 51% of the total population
of the Fiji Islands, and their numbers, according to the
1996 Census, are continuing to grow at 1.8% per annum compared to the national
population growth rate of 0.8%.
They also comprise the majority landowning communities in Fiji, with customary
proprietary rights to more than 83% of all land in the
country, together with associated traditional fishing rights, or qoliqoli.
Given the above, anything that affects them must affect the nation Ensuring
the paramountcy of their interests and their equitable
participation in all aspects of life in Fiji is thus a pre-condition for the
achievement of long term peace, stability and sustainable
development in the country What is needed is an enabling environment to facilitate
the achievement of these objectives.
This is what this Blueprint seeks to provide. It is to enable indigenous Fijians
and Rotumans to fully exercise their rights of
self-determination Within the unitary State of the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
It is to safeguard the paramountcy of their interests in our
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. And it is to improve and enhance opportunities,
amenities and services for Fijians and Rotumans in
their development and participation.
1. Legislative Action {by Decree)
1) New Constitution
Preparation of a new Constitution to be promulgated on 24 July, 2001 (Constitution
Day) to give effect to the collective desire of Fijians
that the national leadership positions of Head of State and Head of Government
should always be held by them. The new Constitution is
also to address other issues of importance to Fijians and Rotumans in line with
the Terms of Reference, as approved by the Great Council
Chiefs. The point is stressed that it will be a new Constitution.
(ii) Schedule A & B Lands
The transfer of administration of State Schedule A and B lands by Government to the Native Land Trust Board, as requested by the GCC and the NLTB.
(iii) Agricultural Leases on Native Land Moved to NLTA
The removal of native land from the ambit of ALTA and placing it under the NLTA, as requested by the GCC and the NLTB.
(Appropriate amendments to be considered for NLTA to protect the interests of tenants. First step is further discussions with NLTB.)
(iv) Ownership Rights to Customary Qoliqoli
The conferment of ownership rights, similar to customary ownership of land, on all traditional qoliqoli, as requested by the GCC and the NLTB. {This will take some time as survey and demarcation of boundaries by the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission need to be completed. Appropriate safeguards will be included in the legislation on the right of public access and the protection of the interests of investors.)
1v) Lands Claims Tribunal to Settle Land Claims
The establishment of a Land Claims Tribunal for deal with land compensation claims for land acquired for public purposes, e.9
Monasavu, Suva (Domain), etc. This is the best way to deal with long-standing historical land claims, away from the political arena, and in a tribunal which will comprise eminent people well qualified to consider these claims on their merit. (The legislation is also to establish a special fund to give effect to settlements decided by the Tribunal.)
(vi) Strengthening of the Great Council of Chiefs
Review of the Fijian Affairs Act and the Great Council of Chiefs Regulations to determine the need for separate stand-alone Legislation for the GCC, given its enhanced authority under the Constitution.
(vii) Fijian and Rotuman Development Trust Fund
The establishment of a Fijian (including Rotumans) Development Trust Fund (similar to the Banaban Trust Fund and the Tuvalu Trust Fund). This is a capital endowment to be invested to earn interest income to support Fijian (and Rotuman) development. Specifically, it is to be used for the following purposes.
(1) to fund the Fijian Foundation - to undertake and sponsor programs, including research, etc. on Fijian language, culture, and ethno-geography and ethno-history studies, etc, (this is to accompany the introduction of these as a compulsory subject in all schools);
(2) leadership and other training programs at Nadave, and
(3) any other purposes approved by the GCC (including the financing of its own operation, so that it is financially
independent of the elected political government of the day).
(viii) Compulsory National Savings Scheme
The establishment of a national savings scheme for Fijians and Rotumans. A paper on this is to be presented to the GCC for its approval. The Fund is to finance increased Fijian and Rotuman equity and other forms of participation in business, and also investment in education. The concept has been discussed before and agreed to in principle in both the FAB and GCC.
(ix) Law on Affirmative Action
Enabling legislation on affirmative action for Fijians and Rotumans to accompany the relevant provisions of the new Constitution.
(x) Royalty for Underground Water
Review the law on mining, so that there is also royalty payment for commercial use of artesian or underground water. This is also to ensure that landowners receive a fair shore of the royalties, as in the regime for mining of minerals. Other interests of landowners, i.e. environmental protection, to be also taken into account in the review.
(xi) Tax Exemption for Fijian Companies
Enabling legislation, i.e. amendment to the Company Tax Act, for exemption of Fijian-owned companies from company tax for a
specified period. This is to assist with cash flow in the formative stage of Fijian company operations. This scheme would be consistent with the grant by Government of tax concessions to companies (e.g. 13 year company tax holiday) in the tourism, mining and garment industry sectors in order to stimulate increased investment and employment creation. Fijian-owned companies or joint venture companies with Fijian controlling interest have not really benefited from the grant of these concessions.
(xii) Review of Legislation to Improve Service
A review needs to be undertaken of both the Native Land Trust Act and the Native Lands Act to ensure that their provisions are conducive, to the effective delivery of services to Fijians and others by the NLTB and the Native Lands and Fisheries Commission.
{i} Fijian Administration
Revamping the Fijian Administration under the Fijian Affairs Act, so that in
its operation, it is fully autonomous of the Central
Government. This will include a review of the legislative framework for the
Great Council of Chiefs, reflecting its enhanced constitutional and other responsibilities.
(Ii) Government to Fund Fijian Administration
Government subvention to fund the entire operation of the Fijian Administration
{i.e. the GCC, FAB and Provincial Councils}.
Meanwhile, there is to be no cuts in Budget allocations to the Ministry of Fijian
Affairs in the Mini-Budget from August to December,
2000. It will be up to each Province to decide whether to continue or discontinue
the collection of provincial levy or rates. However, since
the full running costs of the Fijian Administration are to be covered by the
Government grant, fundraising by the Provinces either by way
of a provincial levy or by other means is to enable the Provinces to apply more
funds to community development projects, the
improvement of schools and education, and increased investment in business ventures
through their provincial-owned companies.
(Iii) Government to Restart Financial Assistance to NLTB Government annual
grant support to the NLTB to assist it -
(1) in further reducing its poundage levy on lease rent, thus increasing nett rent income to the landowners;
(2) in its development activities to assist landowners in the commercial development of their land; and
(3) in the restitution of rent income foregone during the grace period (12 months) for expiring ALTA leases.
(Iv) Government to Pay Arrears in Rent
Budget provision for $1.5 million to cover the payment to the NLTB of arrears
in rent for leases on State Schedule A land. These are
arrears in rent since 1994 which Government has not paid to the NLTB.
(v) Government to Help Establish the FDTB
Government to provide a grant to endow the proposed Fijian
(vi) Fijian Education Fund
Government to provide a Fijian Education Fund to cover scholarships (currently
$4.7 million), supplementary assistance {additional to
the Ministry of Education's} to Fijian schools, and research into Fijian education
issues.
(Vii) Government Assistance to FHL Government to convert the $20 million
interest-free loans to the Fijians Affairs Board (shares in Fijian Holdings
Limited} to a Government grant on the following conditions: Transfer $1 million
"B" shares held by FAB in Fijian
Holdings Limited to each of the 14 Provinces {for their provincial companies}.
Balance of $6 million to remain with FAB (as equity in
FHL).
{viii) Government Assistance to YHL
Government to provide an interest-free loan to FAB for purchase of shares in
Yasana Holdings (YHL}. YHL to acquire shares in other companies similar to the
operation of FHL.
{Ix) Government Shares for Fijians
Reserve 50% of Government shares in companies for Fijians as they become available
for sale to the public. (This is through competitive
bids. Preference is to be given to provincial-owned companies. Joint ventures
with majority control by Fijians are also to be allowed as
this will have the added benefit of attracting business experience and expertise
into the venture, as well as promoting inter-racial and inter
community co-operation.
(x) Licenses for Fijians
Reserve 50% of major licenses for Fijians (e.g. import licenses, taxi permits,
etc.)
(XI) Government Contracts for Fijians
I Reserve 50% of Government contracts for Fijians {as in (ix) above}
(xii) FOB Loan Scheme
Continuation of the FDB Loan Scheme for Fijians and Rotumans but to exclude
other communities who are to be
covered by a separate scheme at the FDB.
(xiii) Assistance in Purchase of Shares
Establish a Small Business Equity Scheme at the FDB with annual allocation of
$5 million from Government (for all citizens), Fijians
through interest-free loans in buying back ancestral land alienated as freehold
land. These are freehold land available on sale by their
owners.
(xviii)Assistance for Provincial Business Participation
Government to re-instate the annual allocation of $1.5 million to Provincial
Councils, via the FAB, for their participation in business. This
allocation will henceforth be a grant and not an interest-free loan.
(xix) Assistance to Landowners Taking Up Cane Farming
Establishment assistance to be given {through FDB} and F5C) to Fijian landowners,
taking up cane farming on their reverted land.
{xx} Mining Royalties
Percentage of mining royalties to be paid by Government to landowners to be
determined by Cabinet, and not by Parliament as provided
in the 1997 Constitution.
(xxi) Royalty for Underground Water
The royalty regime for minerals should also apply to artesian or ground water.
(xiv) Small Business Agency
Establish a National Small Business Agency under the umbrella of the Fiji National
Training Council to provide training, advisory
services, business information, etc (for all citizens}. This will be the central
agency, co-ordination with other schemes that are providing
similar assistance.
(xv) Dealings on Mahogany on Hold
Any dealings on "Mahogany" to await the report of GCC Committee an
this industry. The report could also have implications on other
industries like the pine industry.
(xvi) Discontinue Land Use Commission
Discontinue the Land Use Commission as proposed by the last Government. Government
is to be involved in land development programs
under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests and the Land Development
Authority, as well as land development for the
resettlement of evicted tenants, and for low cost housing through the Housing
Authority, and the resettlement of squatters. Government is
also to assist the commercial development of native land through the NLTB.
(xvii) Assistance with Buy Back of Freehold Land
Reinstate Government Budget provision of $500,000 to assist.
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