Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has asserted his readiness to intervene if necessary regarding the controversy surrounding the unauthorized issuance of Fijian passports linked to the Grace Road Group. This situation arises as Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua, has suggested he may step aside to facilitate investigations into the matter.
The passports in question are alleged to have been issued to children connected to individuals facing human rights allegations associated with the Grace Road Group. Tikoduadua indicated that these passports could have been issued without his consent, the permanent secretary’s approval, or authorization from senior management in the Department of Immigration.
Rabuka is set to meet Tikoduadua soon to discuss the situation further before making any decisions. He has also mentioned that if Tikoduadua steps aside, he can either appoint someone from the current lineup or take over the immigration responsibilities himself.
In a related development, Amelia Komaisavai, the director of Immigration, was put on leave as part of the ongoing investigation into the passport issuance scandal. This step was directed by Mason Smith, the Permanent Secretary for Immigration.
The Grace Road Group has issued a statement refuting the allegations, claiming that children born in Fiji have the right to citizenship according to the Citizenship of Fiji Act 2009. They argue that no ministerial or departmental authorization is necessary in such cases, calling the accusations a product of political targeting and misinterpretation of the law.
Additionally, separate investigations by the Ministry of Employment revealed breaches of the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 at Grace Road’s operations throughout Viti Levu. Minister Agni Deo Singh emphasized the importance of adhering to employment laws to protect both local and migrant workers, asserting that Grace Road must rectify these issues and ensure their employees receive appropriate entitlements.
The Prime Minister’s proactive stance and the emphasis on compliance with the law signal a commitment to transparency and justice within the Fijian government. As investigations proceed, there is hope that clarity will emerge and the rights of affected individuals will be upheld.
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