Opposition MP Premila Kumar has raised significant concerns regarding Prime Minister’s recent decision to assume additional portfolios, specifically Immigration and Police, which further expands his already extensive responsibilities. Kumar questions the rationale behind concentrating so much power in the Prime Minister’s office when every MP in the Coalition Government, with one exception, holds a ministerial or assistant ministerial position. She argues that this presents an opportunity to better distribute responsibilities among the ministerial team.
In her statement, Kumar emphasized that effective governance hinges on delivering results, which necessitates concentrated leadership. She expressed worry that by overseeing critical portfolios such as Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Environment, Civil Service, Information, Public Enterprises, and now Immigration and Police, the Prime Minister may find himself overstretched. Each ministry, she contends, requires dedicated focus and an adept response to immediate challenges, something that may be unrealistic for one individual to achieve efficiently.
Kumar indicated that the splitting of the Ministry of Defence into separate areas, including the new portfolios, echoes previous patterns of restructuring that have not yielded substantial improvements in service delivery, exemplified by the division of the Attorney General’s responsibilities from the Ministry of Justice. She pointed out that this approach can complicate administrative processes without enhancing outcomes.
Fiji is currently grappling with urgent issues such as rising living costs, a struggling healthcare system, drug-related problems, and concerns about law and order, alongside a notable brain drain in important sectors like education and health. Kumar asserted that the Prime Minister’s focus on consolidating power is detracting from addressing these pressing national challenges.
Kumar advocates for a need to empower the broader governmental team to concentrate on their specific roles, ensuring that every ministry receives the attention it requires to function effectively. She underscores that good governance is characterized by delegation, accountability, and results. At this juncture, she calls for the Prime Minister to reassess his strategy, suggesting he trust his team more and allow them to manage additional portfolios. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of addressing the underperformance of some ministers and assistant ministers to avoid wasting taxpayer funds, especially when their efforts seem misaligned with critical national priorities.
This discussion emphasizes the importance of balanced governance through delegation and effective management of responsibilities, demonstrating that empowering a diverse governmental team could yield better outcomes for the citizens. The call for accountability and focused leadership is a hopeful reminder that constructive criticism can lead to essential reforms that foster governmental efficiency and service delivery to the public.
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