Prime Minister and Minister for I-Taukei Affairs, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has made it clear that he wants neutral Provincial Council chairpersons to champion government development programs in important forums.

Commodore Bainimarama also stresses that he takes the view that hereditary chiefs are not in a position to lecture anyone about democracy.
 
When asked by Fijivillage, Commodore Bainimarama said contrary to the recent claims of the Tui Cakau, the Government has every right to appoint the chairpersons of the various provincial councils.
 
The Prime Minister said the Government finances these positions to the tune of $2 million a year and therefore insists on filling them.

He points out the old adage   he who pays the piper calls the tune.

In a statement distributed by Doctor Tupeni Baba, the Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said they have heard that the government wants to select the Chairpersons of Provincial Councils during the first quarter of this year.

Ratu Naiqama said people do not need Commodore Bainimarama to decide on the governance of the provinces.

He said people are not in a military community where they are told what they should do or should not do.
 
Ratu Naiqama said it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that there is the necessary financial support to each province.

He said this does not mean that the Government and especially, an unelected one, should appoint the Chairpersons of Provincial Councils.

However, Commodore Bainimarama said previously the chiefs have used their status to further their personal agenda and their decisions have not benefited all Fijians equally.
 
He said the Tui Cakau quotes Abraham Lincoln’s famous saying - government of the people, by the people, for the people.

The Prime Minister said it would be more apt to say that Ratu Naiqama Lalabalu adheres to the principle of government by the elite for the elite.


Story by: Vijay Narayan