By SITERI TALEITAKI
The passing away of the Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere has been a great loss to the business community of Labasa, Labasa Chamber of Commerce has said.
President Ashok Karan said he had known the Tui Macuata for more than 10 years and expressed his sincere condolences to the people of Macuata.
“It is a big loss to the Macuata people as a whole and to the Labasa business community, as he had a great impact to the people around him,” Mr Karan said.
“A very educated approachable prominent figure and a great statesman who contributed a lot to the community and environment sector will be greatly missed.”
Mr Karan described the late Tui Macuata as a well educated Fijian Chief and politician who was always ready to lend a helping hand to the community and to the people of Macuata.
He was the chairman of the Macuata Provincial Council and the voice of his people in regards to the qoliqoli of his people.
Ratu Aisea was described as a humble conservationist who was ready to attend to the plight of his people.
He was appointed as the senator to represent Macuata to any conservation programmes organised by the WWF.
He was involved in the Pacific Forum Convention and Climate Change awareness programme.
As a result he was awarded with the global ocean conservation for mooting the protection of the Great Sea Reef, the pride of the Macuata people.
Mr Karan added that Ratu Aisea was a great chief, conservationist and a crusade who will be sadly missed by his people and the Labasa Business Community.
The Labasa town community pay their last respect to the late Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere. Photo: LOSIRENE CHAND