Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has indicated his willingness to intervene in the ongoing investigations regarding the allegedly unauthorized issuance of Fijian passports, contingent upon the decision of Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, to step aside. The passports in question are reportedly linked to the children of individuals associated with the Grace Road Group, which is facing serious human rights allegations.
In a recent statement, Tikoduadua claimed that the issuance of these passports occurred without his awareness or approval from senior management within the Department of Immigration. He has expressed his readiness to resign if the Prime Minister advises him to do so. However, Mr. Rabuka clarified that he will only make a decision after discussing the matter further with Tikoduadua, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach in handling the situation.
The Prime Minister and the Minister are scheduled to meet on Monday to deliberate on the matter. Meanwhile, the Director of Immigration, Amelia Komaisavai, has been placed on leave as investigations continue.
On a related note, the Grace Road Group has publicly rejected the allegations against them, labeling the situation as exaggerated false information. They assert that children born in Fiji are entitled to citizenship under the Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009 without requiring ministerial approval. Additionally, they have characterized the current controversy as politically motivated, stemming from misinterpretations of the law.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Employment has discovered violations of the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 during their inspections of Grace Road operations. Minister Agni Deo Singh has vowed to pursue further investigations and ensure adherence to Fiji’s employment laws to protect both local and migrant workers’ rights.
This unfolding scenario reflects a government commitment to transparency and accountability, reinforcing the importance of rule of law and rights protection in the region. As investigations progress, it is hoped that all parties involved can come to a resolution that upholds justice and restores public confidence in governmental institutions.
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