7 Jan 2005

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs ups budget

10:23 am on 7 January 2005

A report in Fiji says the 2005 budget for the office of the Great Council of Chiefs has increased by almost US$60,000.

Radio Fiji reports the council's secretariat will undertake a new programme this year to run workshops at village level.

The council's secretary, Asesela Sadole, says the training will focus on farm planning, time management, workshops on HIV/ Aids and the effects of drugs.

Mr Sadole says there are also plans for leadership seminars for chiefs.

The council says it start surveying village boundaries this year in a bid to resolve increasing land disputes.

Part of the work will be held in conjunction with the Native Lands Commission.