Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo have yet to address queries posed by The Fiji Times regarding the legal grounds for the recent reassignment of Fiji National University (FNU). This inquiry comes amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s decision to shift oversight of FNU from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, as announced by Vosarogo on Monday.
According to the Fiji National University Act, the minister responsible for FNU is also the minister overseeing tertiary education. The Times has requested clarification from the Prime Minister on the specific legal framework being utilized to implement this reassignment. Questions have also been raised about whether Rabuka intends to formally assume control of the Education portfolio through gazettal or if the government plans to amend the Fiji National University Act in Parliament to facilitate the transfer of FNU to a different ministry.
Legal and political analysts have expressed concerns that any directives issued by the Prime Minister regarding FNU could be deemed legally invalid until either the Act is adhered to or amended. They caution that such directives should not be recognized by the university’s council, management, or staff unless proper legal steps are followed.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister Aseri Radrodro confirmed the shift in governance structure to the FNU Council, stating that he informed them following the Prime Minister’s directives. Vosarogo indicated that he would address the raised concerns soon and mentioned in a prior statement that legislative amendments needed to solidify the reassignment of FNU would be presented to Cabinet once the Prime Minister returns from his overseas trip. He emphasized that the PM possesses the constitutional authority to determine ministerial roles and the overall direction of government, including the positioning of FNU within the public service framework.
This ongoing dialogue reflects the complexities and challenges of governance in Fiji, underscoring the need for clarity and legal conformity in administrative transitions. The proactive steps being communicated by the government suggest a willingness to address and resolve these legal ambiguities, which is a promising sign for stakeholders involved with FNU.
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