Ratu Sulianao Matanitobua. 26 April 2024 Photo: Facebook / Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
The paramount chief of one of Fiji's 14 provinces has warned people from his province that they will be banned from entering the province if found to be involved in drug-related activities.
Fiji is battling a drug crisis, and authorities are struggling to contain the problem, with police conducting weekly raids and making arrests, seizing hard drugs, such as methamphetamine, and marijuana.
Namosi province chief Ratu Suliano Matanitobua told fijivillage.com that he raised the issue at the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting in the capital in Suva this week.
He told the news outlet Thursday that he has witnessed firsthand the damage that drugs can bring to a community or village.
He said he does not want his people to be trapped in such situations.
Namosi is one Fiji's smaller provinces by population, with just under 8000 people, according to the 2017 Census. Over 90 percent of the province's population comprises the indigenous iTaukei people.
"The vanua (province) plays a huge role in driving the awareness of drugs in villages, and if the vanua is not strong, then the people will be weak," fijivillage.com reported him as saying.
The report said he has expressed his goal of making Namosi a drug-free province in the next three to five years at the Bose Vanua (a gathering of traditional leaders of the province).
"He also says the law that has been established is that if anyone is found engaging in drug-related activities, they have to clear from the province," the report said.
"Ratu Suliano adds after the person leaves the province, then he will talk to the parents because everything starts from home."
"He says Namosi wants change, and he saw when he was imprisoned the negative and harmful effect that drug has on our lives."
The chief also expressed concern about parents engaging in kava drinking and other social activities while failing to take responsibility for their children.