Money that is supposed to be used for family or church is being used at nightclubs – Turaga
We are getting overwhelming support that clubs should close at 1am - AG

Money that is supposed to be used for family or church is being used at nightclubs – Turaga

We are getting overwhelming support that clubs should close at 1am - AG

By Rashika Kumar
29/04/2023
[Photo: File]

It is an acknowledged fact that 75 percent of the iTaukei live below the poverty line and the money that is supposed to be used for family or church purposes are used elsewhere, namely at nightclubs.

This has been highlighted by Attorney General Siromi Turaga at Namoli Village, Lautoka following consultations on the change in opening hours of nightclubs, the name change policy implemented by amendments to the Interpretation Act and the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act and the Fisheries Act.

Turaga says it is the iTaukei population who are out there on the streets at 4 or 5am and many of them are intoxicated and some of them are there to cause trouble and hassle the patrons.

He says this issue needs to be addressed by the church and vanua.

The Attorney General says he is told that the people from even Votua and Namoli go to Martintar when the nightclubs close in their area at 1am.

He says they are getting overwhelming support that nightclubs should close at 1am but he is getting views in Namoli that clubs should close at midnight on a Saturday because Sunday is for service and worship.

While speaking on the name change policy, Turaga says the view of some of the women in Namoli is that they bear their name on the birth certificate and should not change their name.

He says they are also getting views on the Fisheries Act.

Turaga says before, to apply for a fishing licence, people had to go to the village and get a written consent from the owners or the qoliqoli, give a sevusevu and sometimes money to be used for the vanua.

He says with that written consent, the application was processed through the administration of government and approved but the government changed the law a few years back without any consultation.

He says anyone who wishes to apply for a license goes straight to the Divisional Commissioner, pays a fee of just over $10 and goes out fishing.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Turaga says the issue here is the laws were changed without consultation.

He says they will also be having consultations during the Methodist Church Annual Conference in the coming weeks to try and explain these laws because that is where majority of the iTaukei will meet.

He reassured the people that the government is committed to changing the laws.

Consultations on the laws continue in the West.

FEATURE NEWS
2025/2026 National Budget is for security, stability and the next generation - Tikoduadua
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua has shown his full support to the 2025/2026 National Budget and says that this budget is for security, stability a...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Pillay says it's a candy budget - looks sweet and sounds generous, but once it's spent, nothing is left
This is not a developed budget it is a destructive one that is built not to improve everyday life, but to give with one hand and take back with the ...
4 hours ago

Kiran says more than 107,000 people set to benefit through key social welfare programs
More than 107,000 people are set to benefit from this National Budget through key social welfare programs like the Family Assistance Scheme, Social ...
4 hours ago

Sharma raises concerns over rising debt, youth struggles, and inconsistent economic policies
Opposition MP, Rinesh Sharma has criticized the 2025/2026 National Budget, raising concerns over rising debt levels, youth challenges with tertiary ...
4 hours ago

Taulepa grateful to make his grandfather proud mixing the kava for Tui Nayau installation
Saiasi Taulepa was emotional after the installation of Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as he was chosen from his family to mix the traditional ...
8 hours ago

This Government has borrowed more compared to the Bainimarama government - Kumar
In just two years, this government borrowed almost $2.6 billion, almost as much as what the Banimarama government borrowed over 12 years, and this is ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
9 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
11 days ago

TOP