Independent Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has expressed concerns regarding several decisions and appointments made by the Government, suggesting that they could have been handled more effectively.
In an interview on The Lens@177, Mr. Usamate highlighted his dissatisfaction with certain government actions. He emphasized the significance of maintaining the integrity of institutions, stating that good governance relies on appointing the right individuals for key positions.
He noted that there have been instances where candidates who were unsuccessful in elections have been appointed to various roles, raising concerns about whether this approach serves the best interests of the country. According to him, such appointments often result in poor decision-making and flawed processes.
When asked to identify those he believed were improperly appointed, Mr. Usamate chose to reserve those names for discussion in Parliament.
He commented on the government’s shift in attitude towards the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), recalling that during the election campaign, there were indications of plans to dissolve the FRA and transfer its responsibilities to the Public Works Department. However, he observed that since taking office, the government seems to have reassessed this stance and recognized the importance of the FRA, prompting the continuation of both entities.
Mr. Usamate stressed that appropriate structures and capable individuals yield positive outcomes, while the opposite leads to negative results.
He also brought attention to the lack of an official invitation extended to the Opposition for the traditional welcoming ceremony of the Indian President’s visit to Fiji. Mr. Usamate highlighted this incident as a failure to adhere to established protocol, which he believes reflects a larger issue of having unsuitable individuals in charge.