Siromi Turaga, the Minister for Justice, commended his political party, The People’s Alliance, for its dedication to serving the populace. Speaking to residents of Nabuna in Cawa, Koro, he highlighted the party as a driving force for meaningful change. Cawa district encompasses the villages of Cavaga, Tavua, Nabasovi, Kade, Nabuna, and Vatulele.
Turaga remarked, “The People’s Alliance is a significant party that, despite its relatively short existence, has delivered the change we aspired to achieve.” He emphasized that this change has provided individuals with freedom, which he believes is a divine right protected under the 2013 Constitution.
He assured the audience that their voices would always be heard. Reflecting on the journey leading up to the 2022 election, he expressed his gratitude for the support received, saying, “Thank you to the district of Cawa for your unwavering choice to elect me, a representative from Kubuna-i-wai, committed to protecting Lomaiviti.”
On the agenda, Turaga mentioned that The People’s Alliance will convene its Annual General Meeting on Friday. He also noted that next month, the Minister for Agriculture is set to visit Koro, appreciating the focus on the area due to its fertile land. Additionally, there will be an agriculture show aimed at assisting local farmers, and he encouraged everyone to seize these opportunities.
Turaga criticized the now-deregistered FijiFirst party, claiming it prioritized its interests over those of the citizens. He highlighted the neglect faced by the iTaukei community over the past 16 years and acknowledged that civil servants have recognized the much-waited changes.
“The Ministry of Justice staff, who previously seldom ventured out of their offices, have now visited numerous provinces,” he stated. “Our focus is on the people, which is why we are delivering services directly to them.”
He revealed ongoing investigations into the previous government, mentioning challenges faced during the process. “There were 70 cases sent to FICAC from the Housing Authority regarding fund misuse, but only one has made it to court,” he said.
Simultaneously, Turaga and other ministers are also under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Recently, former acting commissioner Francis Pulewai resigned, and Barbara Malimali has taken over the role, stating she would provide clarity on whether to continue with her predecessor’s actions.