Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has responded strongly to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad’s sharp criticism following Narube’s comments at the Climate Integrity Conference in Canberra, Australia. Narube accused Prasad of personal attacks rather than engaging with the substantive issues he raised about Fiji’s economic management and international climate representation.
During a press conference, Narube condemned Prasad’s threat to invoke the Public Order Act as a means of silencing criticism, emphasizing that such actions should be clarified by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. His concern is that the government should avoid a return to the oppressive tactics reminiscent of the previous FijiFirst government. Narube advocated for better prioritization of resources and tighter controls on international aid usage, not advocating for a reduction in aid but for more responsible allocation.
In his remarks, Narube specifically addressed the funding for Fiji’s delegation to international climate summits, particularly COP29, criticizing the size and costs associated with such delegations while defending his criticisms. “Instead of trying to muzzle the messenger, the Minister for Finance would do well to draw on people’s views to improve his performance,” he suggested.
Prasad, responding to Narube’s claims, dismissed them as baseless and detrimental to the nation’s economic stability. He clarified that the size of the official delegation was not 100 as Narube had claimed, but 56, and that the majority of the $1.2 million costs had been covered by external funding, not directly from the Fijian government. He criticized Narube’s inexperience with climate conferences, noting that past administrations had undertaken similar actions without issue from Narube when larger delegations were sent.
This ongoing conflict highlights the continuing political tensions in Fiji regarding economic management and climate negotiations. It underscores the need for constructive engagement between opposing political voices. By addressing these criticisms openly, the government seeks to improve its accountability and transparency, fostering stronger relationships with international partners to bolster support for urgent climate initiatives.
The current exchange also presents an opportunity for a more hopeful future for Fiji, where a commitment to transparency and effective resource management could enhance the country’s standing on the global stage and better serve the needs of its most vulnerable populations during climate-related challenges.
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