THE people of Lau are in mourning after the death of former politician, diplomat and Lau chief Ratu Alifereti Finau Mara.

Ratu Finau, as he was commonly known to many, was the eldest son of Fiji’s former prime minister and president and the late Tui Nayau Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the late Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Lady Lala Mara.

Lau Provincial Council chairman Ilisoni Taoba confirmed Ratu Finau’s death yesterday.

Mr Taoba said Ratu Finau passed away at his residence in Suva on Wednesday morning.

Yesterday, Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka expressed sadness at the passing of Ratu Finau.

Mr Rabuka said Ratu Finau was a “gentle chief” who understood authority.

“He was Minister for Fijian Affairs when the SVT government wanted to clear the outstanding claims and some misunderstandings between the government, the Native Land Trust Board, the Fiji Electricity Authority and the landowners of land under the Monasavu Dam and its catchment areas as well as the Wailoaloa Power Station and the powerlines from the station to Suva and Kinoya,” Mr Rabuka recalled.

“He oversaw the work of the Monasavu taskforce under colonel (Ret’d) Ratu Isoa Tikoca that resulted in the writing of the taskforce report and its recommendations that led to the quadrangular agreement (Government, landowners, NLTB and FEA) for the sum of $52.8million to be paid to the landowners in early 1999. The SVT government lost the general elections and that agreement has never been successfully concluded.

“Before the general elections I had offered him a diplomatic post as ambassador to the United States, but he, understanding protocol so well, and probably also feeling our waning support, felt that the appointment be made only after the elections by the government. I respected his views.

“I send my prayers and condolences to his chiefly family of Na Vuanirewa and Vanua Ko Lau.”

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements for the late chief are yet to be finalised.