Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has hit back at the Opposition, accusing them of being overly sensitive about the legacy they left behind after 16 years in government. He was responding to a call from the Opposition for the government to stop blaming FijiFirst and instead focus on delivering results.
Prasad said that Jone Usamate, Inia Seruiratu, and the rest of the group still in Parliament react strongly whenever officials remind them of the state of affairs they left behind. He enumerated areas he said remain problematic, including health and education infrastructure, roads, water supply, mismanagement, and corruption, saying the Opposition resents reminders of those issues.
“First, they don’t want us to talk about the mess they left. Second, they want us to fix everything in six months, two years, or even one year,” Prasad said. He added that over the past two and a half years the government had achieved a lot, but “a lot more work still remains to be done, and a lot more mess still needs to be cleaned up.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also questioned the Opposition’s approach to national issues such as drug problems. He pointed to a move by then-Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua to push for a national inquiry into the drug crisis. He said the Opposition not only voted against it but, according to him, their leader and former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama allegedly manhandled Tikoduadua outside Parliament. Prasad noted that the Parliament later suspended Tikoduadua for six months.
Prasad urged the Opposition to be honest about their history in government and to acknowledge what he described as a “big mess” left behind. He also challenged their credibility, saying they belong to a party that supposedly owed money to the people and was deregistered. He observed that the Opposition are now traveling to markets to film videos and collect signatures to form a new party, wishing them luck but calling for greater honesty.
Context from related discussions shows a recurring theme: opposition members have repeatedly urged the government to deliver results rather than dwell on the past. In some cases, discussions have touched on issues such as the Rewa Dairy ownership transition and unrecovered loans from provincial councils, as well as ongoing debates about how best to tackle inflation and public services.
Summary
The exchange underscores a continuing political contest in Fiji, with the government defending its record and the Opposition pressing for accountability and faster reforms. The dialogue reflects broader tensions over governance, delivery, and the legacy of the previous administration, as the country seeks to address infrastructure, health, education, and security challenges.
A hopeful angle
This confrontation highlights a functioning democratic process where leaders openly argue about priorities and accountability. If both sides engage constructively, there is potential for clearer policy direction, continued investment in public services, and more transparent governance that benefits everyday Fijians.
Additional notes for the article
– Key figures cited: Biman Prasad ( Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister), Jone Usamate, Inia Seruiratu, Voreqe Bainimarama, Pio Tikoduadua.
– Possible angles to explore in follow-up: progress on health and education infrastructure projects, current status of drug control initiatives, and ongoing reforms aimed at improving public service delivery.
– Headline options to consider:
– Prasad Defends Record, Says Opposition Overreacts to Past Mess
– Fiji First Legacy Debate: Government Points to Progress While Opponents Demand Results
– Government Accuses Opposition of Focusing on History as Delivery Remains Key Challenge
Overall evaluation
The piece presents a sharp, politically charged exchange centered on governance, accountability, and future deliverables. It frames the government’s narrative of progress while challenging the Opposition’s emphasis on past shortcomings.
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