The parliament session turned ugly earlier yesterday as a serious personal attack was made against Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama by Opposition Whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca.
The situation unfolded as Bainimarama was answering a question from Tikoca on whether the government makes financial contributions to Fijian Holdings Limited and the i-Taukei Land Trust Board.
Bainimarama stopped answering the question due to continued yelling from the opposition side.
The Prime Minister made it clear in his first response that the government does not make any direct financial contribution to FHL and TLTB.
Tikoca then asked Bainimarama why the Minister for i-Taukei Affairs is still appointing board members for FHL’s Class B shareholders.
Opposition MP, Niko Nawaikula joined Tikoca and asked Bainimarama the same question on why the government is involved in making FHL appointments.
There was continuous yelling while Bainimarama was trying to explain the laws governing FHL and TLTB.
Nawaikula also had to withdraw a comment he directed at Bainimarama.
The interjections continued as Bainimarama went on to give the explanation.
He then said there was rubbish coming from the opposition side of the house.
Ratu Isoa Tikoca then wanted the Prime Minister to withdraw his comment.
Tikoca then made a personal attack against the Prime Minister.
Speaker of the House, Doctor Jiko Luveni asked him to withdraw his comment.
Looking at the issues raised about FHL and i-Taukei Land Trust Board.
Fijivillage has managed to get the Prime Minister’s full response which he could not deliver due to continued interruptions.
In the response, Bainimarama said the government provides the necessary guidance and supervision to FHL and TLTB under the laws governing them.
Under the laws governing the i-Taukei Land Trust Board, the Minister responsible for i-Taukei Affairs is the Chairperson of TLTB, and under the i-Taukei Affairs Act, the Minister is the chairperson of the i-Taukei Affairs Board.
Bainimarama said through partnership with Government, TLTB has implemented a number of positive reforms, including in particular equal distribution of lease money.
TLTB in collaboration with the government is now able to offer landowners more lease money when they renew expiring leases under the Committee for Better Utilization initiative.
Under Fijian Holdings Limited’s Articles of Association, the Minister for i-Taukei Affairs appoints Directors of Class B shareholders who are the Provincial Councils and are majority shareholders in FHL.
Bainimarama said in 1989, the Fiji Development Bank provided a $20 million interest free loan to the i-Taukei Affairs Board for the purchase of FHL shares.
In the response, the Prime Minister said the loan was then subsequently and conveniently converted into a grant which allowed a number of i-Taukei elites to buy and get a free ride in ‘Class A’ shares in FHL.
Bainimarama also highlighted the case of the Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase who was actually convicted for abuse of office in relation to the FHL case.
In the response, the Prime Minister says the Provincial Councils who were the actual intended beneficiaries and who represent the masses were left holding ‘Class B’ shares in FHL and therefore, received a lower dividend than ‘Class A’ shareholders.
He said the government has ensured that this injustice was eradicated and today, ‘Class B’ shareholders receive dividends on par with ‘Class A’ shareholders.
