The Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, has indicated that allowing citizens to vote for their President will require amendments to the 2013 Constitution. He noted that the ultimate decision lies with the Members of Parliament. Attorney General Graham Leung mentioned that discussions regarding the constitutional changes will soon be presented to the Cabinet.
In another significant development, it has been reported that Fiji needs to invest $104 million to equip 8,000 Fijians with new skills. Dr. Ganesh Chand, chairman of Pacific Polytech, highlighted that Fiji’s current investment stands at $42 million, aimed at developing only 3,780 individuals.
Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica emphasized that rebuilding the nation forms part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensuring stability. He acknowledged that the recent National Security and Defence Review (NSDR) report revealed the impact of inconsistent government messaging, which has led to perceptions of “self-serving leaders” and a decline in public trust.
Kamikaica underscored the necessity of regaining public trust in the government and its institutions, especially the military and police. The report noted widespread concerns regarding government inefficiency, nepotism, and corruption, which stakeholders attributed to the previous administration’s legacy of authoritarianism.
As discussions on stability gain traction, Kamikamica called for a unified approach rather than mere discussions. He expressed the need for the government to reinforce stability through transparent communication, a commitment to combating corruption, and consistent messaging moving forward. The path to restoring trust is not easy but requires collective effort, accountability, and transparency from all parties involved.
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