14 Jun 2008

Fiji's Bainimarama yet to decide on when GCC will meet

9:02 am on 14 June 2008

Fiji's interim Minister for Indigenous Affairs Commodore Frank Bainimarama says he is yet to decide on when the Great Council of Chiefs will meet again.

Commodore Bainimarama told Fijilive that he will decide on a date after he has all the information he needs from GCC taskforce chairman Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo.

He said he will decide when the meeting will be held only after he gets all the information from Ratu Josateki.

The GCC taskforce chairman is touring the provinces with his taskforce, established by the interim Government to consult the people on changes to the GCC.

Out of the 13 provinces visited so far, only Macuata has supported the interim Government's initiative to restructure the GCC while Lau and Rotuma have yet to hear from the taskforce.

Commodore Bainimarama expects Ratu Josateki's team to conclude its tour this month and return with information and the provinces' nominations for membership to the new-look GCC.

He did not say what he will do if majority of the provinces do not submit names to the GCC.