An intense exchange in Parliament today between Fiji’s Minister for Rural Development and Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka, and Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, highlighted the contrasting views on disaster resilience and rural development in the country. Minister Ditoka aggressively defended the coalition government’s record, citing statistics that demonstrate an accelerated pace in constructing evacuation centers under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s leadership. He noted that within three years, 65 evacuation centers have been completed, whereas the previous government managed to build only 60 in a decade.
“This demonstrates not only great output but also a stronger, faster, more community-focused delivery system that this government has put in place,” Ditoka stated, clearly positioning the current administration as more effective than its predecessors.
However, this assertion was rapidly challenged by Seruiratu, who labeled the comparison as misleading, instead asserting that the former administration had a strategic policy intent to focus on schools and key rural projects instead of accelerating evacuation center construction. “We constructed 60 over a 10-year period because of a deliberate policy decision,” said Seruiratu, highlighting a fundamental disagreement regarding priorities for community development.
The backdrop of this debate is essential as it takes place against the ongoing recovery efforts from recent natural disasters, such as Tropical Cyclone Rae. Earlier, Miss Ditoka expressed the government’s commitment to aid all affected Fijians, reinforcing that there is an active focus on effective disaster response and coordination among different agencies. This includes initiating relief measures, assessing damages, and delivering essential supplies quickly to impacted communities.
As the government pushes forward with its disaster management initiatives, including the relevant legislative framework established through the National Disaster Risk Management Act, there remains an opportunity for constructive discussions. The hope is that through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, both the government and opposition can forge a more unified approach to enhancing community resilience against future disasters.
Overall, this political exchange underscores the importance of accountability in governance while illuminating the necessity for a cooperative effort between differing political views to facilitate meaningful advancements in disaster management and rural development strategies across Fiji.
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