The people of Naviavia Settlement in Cakaudrove Province are requesting the Government to remove the word ethnicity in official forms. They want to be known as Fijians.

The settlement consists of about 256 Solomon Islanders living in a 300-acre land given by the Anglican Church.

Naviavia Settlement headman Marika Sade said they have been living there since 2014.

Speaking on behalf of the community at a comparative learning and policy advocacy workshop in Savusavu, he revealed they wanted to be considered as Fijians.

“So we are not denied services provided in the country to all Fijians. We are living in fear and worry,” Mr Sade said.