BY LORETTA B MANELE
A first of its kind and history in the making for Central Islands Province; three Houses of Chiefs; Vatilau, Sandfly and Ravu Houses of Chiefs have anonymously agreed to adapt one unified constitution.
The result comes after a two-day “Sandfly Buena Vista House of Chiefs Consultation Meeting” from Sunday, June 15 to Monday 16 in Leitongo village, Central Province.
Chiefs voted for the decision to come together as one House of Chiefs on Monday afternoon and will now all come under “Sandfly/Buena Vista House of Chiefs”.
On Sunday, guest speaker at the meeting was Oliver Salopuka, MP for Savo/Russell constituency.
As chairman of Lavukal House of Chiefs and Lavukal Trust Board, Salopuka shared Russell Islands’ experiences and challenges in their roles as chiefs and the duties they have to carry out.
He told the chiefs that they have very hard rules that they have to follow once having taken their oaths as chiefs.
Salopuka expressed that they have to follow rules and uphold customs whilst representing their people.
“As chiefs, you must behave and follow principals”, he said.
Salopuka mentioned that some rules they must follow are simply rules like entering meetings without hats, bags and wearing their uniforms and most of all ensuring that every chief has a certificate.
He emphasized that having a good character is very important as a chief.
Media representatives on that day also got to speak with a few chiefs at the meeting.
One of them was Paramount Chief George Selwyn Luka from Vatilau House of Chiefs.
He explained that the role of chiefs in the community is making sure they care about their people, resources and what is written in their constitution.
John Edmond Alatala, from Ravu House of Chiefs said since working as a secretary for the past 20 years, he has not seen any leader hold such a meeting.
He acknowledges Maurice Mae, MPA for Sandfly and Buena Vista Ward for initiating the meeting.
At the meeting there were also female chiefs present and one of the was Rose Irene Nida, from Vatilau House of Chiefs.
Speaking briefly with media representatives, she said being a female chief she has come across challenges like not being listened to but that does not stop her from carrying out her chiefly duties.
She also acknowledged the advice given by the MP for Savo/Russell constituency.
The following day, Monday, the chiefs gathered together and voted on whether or not they wanted to come together as one under one House of Chiefs.
According to Maurice Mae, MPA for Sandfly and Buena Vista Ward, the result was positive.
“The final outcome of the Chiefs Consultation Meeting for Ward 1 turned out positive in which the three Houses of Chiefs – Vatilau, Sandfly and Ravu Houses of Chiefs anonymously agreed to adapt one unified Constitution”.
It is understood that on the same day, the chiefs also agreed to venture into business activities that will be spearheaded by Mae who was also elected as their chairman.
Mae mentioned that two priority areas Ward 1 will venture into are Tourism and Fisheries however they also look forward to expanding this initiative into other areas of development.
George Selwyn Luka has been elected as the Secretary of Sandfly/Buena Vista House of Chiefs.
As noted by Mae, the post of “Treasurer” will be filled in soon before the 18th of July and Paramount Chiefs will be elected by their tribes by 18th July and they will represent 5 legal existing tribes in Ward 1 endorsed by the committee.
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