Equal citizenry does not take away rights of ITaukei ownership - Usamate

Equal citizenry of all the citizens of Fiji does not take away the rights of ITaukei ownership of the itaukei land, culture, customs, tradition and language.

FijiFirst candidate Jone Usamate has told 30 people in Nasole during the FijiFirst campaign meeting that the concept of equal citizenry means that they are treated at the same level with respect and dignity.

He said there are no low class citizens as everyone will be equal.

He said that this is why all Fiji citizens are called Fijians.

The 2013 constitution states that all citizens of Fiji shall be known as Fijians.

A concern was raised by a member of the community that he disagrees with this idea as he believes that Itaukei land should be protected.

Usamate reiterated that no one can take away the rights of ownership and protection of itaukei land as it is well protected in the 2013 constitution.

The 2013 constitution states that the ownership of all Itaukei land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and Itaukei land shall not be permanently alienated, whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange, except to the State.

It also states that any Itaukei land acquired by the state for a public purpose shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the state.