GCC’s first meeting scheduled for late May

The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) first meeting will take place in late May of this year.

President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere clarified this while delivering his address on the opening of the 2023-2024 session of Parliament this morning saying traditionally, the apex of the vanua would be re-established.

“The Government will undertake consultations and preparatory work before bringing the relevant Bills to this House,” Ratu Wiliame said.

He was reminded by the words of the late Jai Ram Reddy who addressed the GCC in 1997 as the Leader of Opposition.

“He asked the chiefs to consider themselves leaders, not just of the iTaukei but of all Fijians,” Ratu Wiliame said.

“He reminded them that Indo-Fijians did not wish to separate themselves from the iTaukei brothers and sisters.”

Ratu Wiliame said while speaking on behalf of the Indo-Fijian community, the late Mr Reddy had said: “Fiji is our home, Fiji is our only home, we have no other and we want no other.”