Introduction

The Turaga ni Koro and Mata ni Tikina meeting in the district of Udu created an environment of open discussions on the importance of roles and responsibilities, TAB/PC operation awareness and Tikina Council resolution implementation.

The meeting provided an environment to conduct awareness on the new TNK quarterly report format which most of them are unversed with and also encourage them to meet more often so that they do not lose sight of their goals.

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge Inspector Josua of the Fiji Police Force in assisting us with transportation portrays our integration approach with stakeholders.

On the same note, I wish to acknowledge MNT Udu and TNK Cawaro for hosting at Cawaro village and their hospitality which is remarkable.

Meeting objectives:-

 1        TAB/PC operations

 2        TNK‟s roles and responsibilities

 3        Provincial rates

 4        Revitalization & update of sub-committees

 5          Training/awareness on new TNK quarterly report format

 TNK/MNT present during the meeting

#	Names		Tnk/mnt –village		Contact
1	Aisake Galodamu		MNT Udu		8412205
2	Josevata B.		TnK Nabouono		2766707
3	Lasarusa Vulacili		TNK Nukudamu		2134245
4	Ilisoni Naqoru		TNK Vunikodi		8765345
5	Solomone Waqa		TNK Cawaro		2033707
Stakeholders
1		Makelesi Raciri		PCO
2		Tuliana Qolikoro		Fiji Police Force	9447369
3		Litiana Ratuvuki		Asst Roko	93597773

Apology:

Mr. Pita Tuinamena – TNK Nukusa who is in Labasa overseeing his son‟s school preparation.

Welcome

I welcome TNK‟s and MNT‟s and likewise stakeholders for their presence then I requested the Turaga ni Koro of Vunikodi village to lead us in prayer.

Discussions

1]       Roles & responsibilities

• Role of TNK is important as you are the link between govt to villages/vanua
• Most of you TNK‟s have dual roles and balancing of roles is important
• As MNT/TNK – key planner in terms of development
• Innovative – ways of PC rates collection

Most TNK‟s do not visit respective govt. dept neither PC office. Only visit the office when payment of TnK allowance.

2]        Provincial rates

Discussion focused on the collection of the provincial rates and urged TNK‟s & MNT‟s on the full collection of rates. TNK‟s and MNT‟s confirmed that collection of PC rates

will be in June during the Yaubula celebration.

Soli ni yasana contribution of $500 per village

$70,000 will be contributed by the business arm of the province

 I explained allocations of the $500 collected as was presented during the Tikina Council meeting.

 3]        TNK Report form

This is the first time that I conducted training on the new format TNK quarterly report to TNK‟s in the district of Udu and it is important in terms of understanding questions on each platform.

I believe that once they fully understand questions will enable them provide practical responses and to do so, we thoroughly glance through the report form page by page.

At the end of the day, they were overwhelmed as most of them were still trying to familiarize themselves with the new format.

 Although TNK‟s & MNT‟s in my area of operation are familiar with the 5 platforms, I once again presented as a way of recapping and re-visiting their minds and as a way of motivating them to link with relevant departments in terms of developments, conservation and so forth.

 4]        Revitalizing & update of sub-committees

I distributed templates for the sub-committees for update and also encourage them to oversee the effectiveness of sub-committees and in some cases can advise or motivate them for the betterment of respective villages.

5] TAB/PC Operations on these platforms for the well-being of villagers in theirrespective village during this meeting.

It was also an opportunity for them to motivate each other on activities in line with the 5 platforms.

Platform 1 Good Governance

• Tikina council resolution

As MNT it is important that they follow-up on resolutions with relevant stakeholders and enquire on progress.

• Village Council resolution

Role as TNK is to follow up on resolutions and not rely solely to MNT

Sitting of the VC meeting – chairmanship – if the chairman is absent, villagers can elect someone to chair only the current meeting as most TNK‟s are challenged with chairman being absent from the village either residing in settlements,

• Sub-committees (membership)

Composition of sub-committees to be inclusive and it is important that as TNK‟s to advise accordingly during the VC meeting as most sub-committees are dominated by men. Inclusion of women and youths in sub-committees

• Increase women representation in the PC forums and we‟ve noticed that more women are becoming members of VC sub-committees (Health sub-committee).

• Youths representation – encourage our youths on the establishment of the youth clubs or otherwise revive as it is noticed that reporting is a weakness and we can assist wherever possible (templates with dept of Youth & Sports). Encourage the parents to support youths and the senior leaders in the community to motivate and nurture the youths.

• Integration and participation of vulnerable people in decision making in community affairs – encourage the community to give deep thought in the inclusion of our elderly in decision making as they can be advisors, single parents can be included in sub-committees, if there are former inmates how they are blending into the community and involvement in community affairs.

Platform 2 Well Being

• Village cleanliness is very important and encourages TNK‟s & MNT‟s to take lead role in cleaning up campaigns and support Health committee, youths & women in village clean-ups
• Proper sanitation is important and encourage TNK to oversee that proper toilets are erected and support the Village Health sub-committees by being vocal about it during the Village meeting.
• Clean drinking water
• Rubbish pit is properly dug and covered
• IVDP – oversee discussion during village meeting with actions & activities are carried out. Platform 3 Economic Empowerment
• Encourage savings in commercial banks, investment in FHUT/UTOF/Kontiki Finance.
• As TNK‟s &MNT‟s is to encourage the visibilities of earnings in the village – renovation of homes/ etc as most of the villagers are yaqona farmers/fishermen.
• Issue proper identification letter for any villager applying for business license etc.

Platform 4 Conservation & climate change

• Conservation effort – formation of Yaubula sub-committees/encourage good management of yaubula.
• Reforestation – link up with Dept. of Forest and enquire more information on the program

Platform 5 – Vanua and traditional leadership

Sitting of Bose Vanua

Confirmation of traditional title

Monitoring of Sauvaki ni Vanua Action Plan

Vola ni Kawa Bula

• VKB entry – provision of birth certificate and encourage TNK to oversee that those not entered into the VKB to assist them.
• Deletion from VKB upon death – provision of death certificate
• Encourage TNK‟s & MNT‟s in working together for the better good of villagers
• Encourage TNK and likewise MNT‟s to visit the office whenever they come to Labasa so that you have a better understanding of the work we do in the office and follow up on resolutions.

Outcome

Through the TNK/MNT meeting the following were resolved:-

1]         Rubber stamps for TNK‟s & MNT – MNT to inquire and inform TnK‟s on price and company. 

2]         Collection of provincial rates - April 17^th at Nukusa village

3]         Revitalizing/update of sub-committees - distributed forms for update and encourage TNK‟s for minute book for each sub-committee.

4]         Tikina waste management plan for the district of Udu.

Conclusion

Through capacity building TNK‟s and MNT‟s in my area of operation are elevated to a level of responsibility on their individual roles in understanding that as TNK and MNT not only villagers rely on them on village development but stakeholders as well.

They are role model and take lead role in village activities and should be reliable and it is only necessary that they develop competencies and skills to make them more effective and sustainable thus increase their potentials for current and future development.

Recommendation

It is my recommendation that TNK/MNT meeting is conducted at village level with an activity conducted (village clean-up/digging of rubbish pits) in the morning before their meeting and finally receive their allowance.

In this manner, team building/team bonding is realized and provides TNK‟s and MNT‟s an urge to realize their potentials in organizing and implementing activities for their well-being.

MNT‟s to initiate TNK/MNT/CHW meeting in the district without the involvement of stakeholders as this will ascertain their how committed they are for the general wellbeing of villagers.

Way forward

More meetings/discussions between TNK‟s & MNT will create a team bonding environment within themselves and with the inclusion of community health workers will add value in terms of constructive discussions for healthy living or overall wellbeing of villagers in the district of Udu.