Ratu Naiqama raises concern about Bainimarama’s comments

SODELPA parliamentarian Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s comments about giving priority to developments in the areas where FijiFirst supporters are staying, allegedly violates the constitution.

Ratu Naiqama said the statement violates sections covering common and equal citizenry, the Bill of Rights and the right to equality and freedom from discrimination.

Ratu Naiqama said by his utterances in the North, the Prime Minister is effectively putting FijiFirst voters’ interests ahead of all other citizens creating two classes of citizens.

He also questioned how Bainimarama knows who did not vote for him.

The opposition MP said development funds come from all taxpayers of Fiji as well as foreign donors.

Ratu Naiqama said these are not the personal funds of Bainimarama.

Ratu Naiqama called on all foreign aid donors to take heed of the stated position of the Prime Minister and be sure to secure guarantees that the funds they give to Fiji for the benefit of all the people, are not used primarily to benefit only FijiFirst supporters.

Ratu Naiqama, who is SODELPA’s Shadow Minister for Itaukei Affairs, said foreign countries would do well to tread cautiously when re-establishing relations with the Government.

He has also called on the Attorney General and Minister for Justice to take appropriate action against the Prime Minister for his alleged breach of the constitution.

Ratu Naiqama said the Opposition will follow this up in Parliament.

We have requested Bainimarama for an interview on this matter.

While speaking to supporters at the FijiFirst Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in Labasa yesterday, Bainimarama said that the government will stand to serve all Fijians.

He said that the result of the September 17th General Election was a victory for all Fijians.

He also thanked everyone who believed in FijiFirst’s vision of serving a nation of all Fijians.

He said that everyone who voted for FijiFirst voted for justice and equality.

Bainimarama also urged the minority who are still caught in the past to move forward with the government.

He said that we must have an inclusive, modern and prosperous Fiji where no one is left behind.

He said that the days of favoring special interest groups, the elite and certain areas in the country are over as Fiji is now on a new path of looking at the needs of ordinary Fijians.