Power Play: Is the Prime Minister Overstepping?

Opposition MP Premila Kumar has expressed serious concerns regarding the Prime Minister’s recent decision to take on additional portfolios, specifically Immigration and Police, amidst his already extensive responsibilities. Kumar questioned the rationale behind concentrating so much power in one office, particularly when nearly all members of the Coalition Government already hold ministerial or assistant ministerial roles.

She argued that with such a large pool of ministers available, it would be more effective to distribute responsibilities among them. Doing so would promote greater focus on individual areas and enhance accountability. Kumar emphasized that effective governance demands a leader’s dedicated attention to each sector, stating that the Prime Minister risks spreading himself too thin by managing critical ministries including Foreign Affairs, Climate Change, Environment, Civil Service, and more.

Kumar highlighted that Fiji is currently grappling with significant challenges, such as a rising cost of living, deteriorating healthcare, drug-related issues, and a brain drain in vital sectors like education and health. She stressed that the government’s focus should be on empowering its ministers to address these urgent matters effectively.

Kumar concluded by calling for a re-evaluation of the Prime Minister’s approach, advocating for trust in the government team to assume greater ownership of their respective portfolios. She criticized the continued employment of underperforming officials, suggesting they should be relieved of their duties to ensure taxpayers’ money is not wasted.

This situation presents an opportunity for the Prime Minister to reassess his governance strategy, potentially leading to improved focus on pressing national issues. By empowering his team and fostering a culture of accountability and delegation, there could be a positive shift in performance and service delivery in the government.

Overall, fostering collaboration within the government may not only improve results but also restore public confidence in the administration’s ability to tackle the challenges facing Fiji.