The inaugural meeting of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji ended in the last hour at the Tradewinds Convention Center in Lami with the council making a number of major announcements.
Our news director Vijay Narayan confirms that it has been decided that the work proper of the council will begin on January 23rd.
It has also been confirmed that eight people who were invited by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to be part of the national council declined or have not responded as only 34 members attended the meeting today.
The eight who are deemed to have declined or have not responded are SDL President Ratu Kalokalo Loki, NFP President Raman Pratap Singh, FICTU's Maika Namudu, Fiji Chinese Association President Lionel Yee, National Council of Women's Miriama Leweniqila, Methodist Church of Fiji President Reverend Laisiasa Ratabacaca, Fiji Council of Church’s Chairman Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu , FISI Sangam's Dor Sami Naidu and Fiji Muslim Leagues Hafiz Khan.
After the council meeting, it was also confirmed that an invitation was sent last night to ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to join the National Council for Building a Better Fiji which was declined by Qarase.
However, Co-Chair of the National Council Commodore Frank Bainimarama confirmed after the meeting earlier this evening that the doors are now open for Qarase to come forward and give his views, contribute and hold consultations on the People’s Charter.
The National Council for Building a Better Fiji has also made a decision to amend the title of the People's Charter to include the word peace. The charter will now be known as the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.
The National Council also endorsed the appointment of John Sami as the Head of the Technical Support Secretariat, which will assist it in its work.
Sami has extensive experience at national, regional and international levels in economic, financial and development issues. Now based in Australia, Sami has worked in the Fiji government during the Alliance era.
Inaugural Council Meet Ends
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