“The governance of Fiji needs to take a new direction in 2018, for all our citizens to witness genuine parliamentary democracy and full restoration of fundamental human rights and freedoms, that are pre-requisites for the real social, political and economic advancement of our nation. ”
This is the message from the National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad in his New Years message.
The NFP Leader says to ignore fundamental problems that plague our nation, would be doing so at our own peril.
“In Fiji, calling everyone Fijians and saying they enjoy common and equal citizenry doesn’t guarantee fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, freedom of association, worker rights, political rights, permanent tenure of employment particularly in the civil service, and freedom of the media.
Common and equal citizenry also does not guarantee job opportunities based on meritocracy, rendering common and equal citizenry meaningless. It does not guarantee decent and meaningful living wage. It does not guarantee timely and efficient delivery of medical services and dispensation of the required medicine. It does not guarantee a reduction in cost of living.
There are many other challenges we face as a community and as a nation that can only be overcome through genuine unity, bipartisanship and sound and sensible leadership.”
The Party Leader says this is what the NFP will do in 2018.
Professor Biman Prasad says the best start to the New Year, would be for the Prime Minister to intervene and order the Air Terminal Services Board and Management, to allow the workers who are shareholders, to freely return to work without loss of pay and benefits, and also order an independent inquiry in the operations of ATS.