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Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama Prime Minister And Minister For Public Service, Peoples’ Charter For Change And Information, Acting Minister For Finance & National Planning, And Acting Minister For Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Civil Aviation 2009 NEW YEAR MESSAGE Ni sa Bula Vinaka. Season’s greetings and a happy New Year to all who call Fiji home and those visiting our shores. We have come to the end of a challenging and successful year. The New Year of course not only brings further challenges but also hope and new opportunities. We must meet our challenges and seize those opportunities together as a nation and with the resilience that we as a people have demonstrated over the decades. We must work together and rid ourselves of the negativity that a few people and some media organisations with ulterior motives constantly seek to create. To become a mature nation we must be realistic, we must be honest, we must be united, we must demand to be treated with dignity and we must be proud of our country. As Prime Minister I am pleased to report that 2008 has been successfully dedicated to strengthening our efforts towards achieving the mandate issued by His Excellency our President, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda. All doubts about the legality of the appointment of the interim Government by His Excellency were laid to rest by the 3 member panel High Court ruling in October. The Court ruling validated the actions of His Excellency and the Government in taking the many positive steps to achieve the mandate set out by him. I know there are some both within and outside Fiji who continue to ignore this ruling. However, what they must realise is that the rule of law requires the adherence, acceptance and compliance with the rulings and decisions of an independent judiciary. In this respect I am pleased to note the appointment by His Excellency of a substantive Chief Justice and a number of distinguished and learned judges to our Courts. They have vastly reduced backlogs, improved the administration of justice and further strengthened the rule of law. The economy will remain a large focus for 2009. While Fiji cannot expect to escape the full brunt of the international financial crisis, I am pleased to report that as a result of prudent and improved financial management our economic performance is projected to have a growth rate of over 2% in 2009. In fact, Fiji is, in an, enviable position when compared to our near neighbours whose economies are now in recession. I can report that the substantial decline in fuel prices and some basic food items in the New Year will also have a positive impact on the cost of living. Contrary to what has been reported by some in the mainstream media, I received tremendous support and positive feedback in particular from business houses, the banks, accounting firms, welfare organisations as well as foreign investors following the announcement of the 2009 Budget. The effective implementation of the policies announced in the budget will bring about numerous opportunities and improvements in the lives of the citizens of our country – in particular for those in the economically depressed regions. It will also encourage indigenous Fijian participation in the mainstream economy. Tourism numbers in 2008 reached record proportions. It is projected that numbers for 2009 will reach if not exceed 600 000. Fiji, as a recent survey has found, is considered to be one of the safest destinations to travel to. Close to 77% of the land leases that had expired have now been renewed; dairy farmers will be provided farm gate subsidies for milk production; new initiatives will be put in place for the sugar industry in particular for FSC; the cost of international calls and other related services such as internet will be further reduced when the full liberalisation of the telecommunications sector is completed by July; improved government services to the rural areas will be strengthened – birth and other certificates can now be accessed through post offices; from June Fiji will for the first time have a direct connection to a major international hub and gateway, namely Hong Kong; major infrastructural works will be carried out in 2009 with particular emphasis on road and water upgrading and air and seaport improvements. Fellow citizens, we will have elections. However, elections must be held under an electoral system that is truly democratic. This means, the value of your individual votes must be the same; you must have the right to choose whoever you want and not be bound by ethnic categorization; the politicians must develop and implement polices that will be good for all in the nation of Fiji, not just for themselves and a select few. In this respect I have already commenced the political dialogue and we hope to make inroads in the New Year. I am also extremely pleased to tell you that the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress has been endorsed by His Excellency the President. He has also directed the interim Government to implement the Charter. The Government has already started the implementation of the Charter as directed by His Excellency. One such example is the removal of ethnic/racial categorisation in Government forms and records. I also thank all of you who participated in the 3 month Charter consultation process. Close to 70% of the population participated in the consultations. Over 90% of these supported the Charter and its implementation. I am also overwhelmed by the tremendous support given by the Bose ni Turaga to His Excellency our President, the interim Government, and the Charter. The Bose ni Turaga showed the wisdom and acumen that it is known for. The Bose ni Turaga will continue to play a pivotal role. While we have had some differences with our neighbours namely Australia and New Zealand, who are lot richer and powerful than us, we believe our long standing friendship will allow us to overcome the current impasse. The impasse unfortunately has been fuelled by certain individuals both within and outside Fiji. To overcome these misunderstandings we as a nation need to be treated with respect, dignity and our sovereignty and independence must remain paramount. I will be attending the Forum leaders meeting this month and I look forward to constructive engagement and dialogue that will be in the interest of our country. As I said to you at the beginning of 2008 Fiji has the potential and we all have the will and ability to take it to another level. Don’t pay heed to the merchants of gloom and doom and misinformation. They will come and go but we as a people must forge ahead with a sense of realism, positivity and pride. We will reach great heights if we remain focussed and strive for a better Fiji. I wish all of you, the young, who I know will be partying hard, the families, our elderly, those in the islands, the rural areas, the towns and cities, our soldiers and members of the Police Force and our people abroad and those visiting our shores a very happy and prosperous new year. Vinaka vakalevu and May God Bless Fiji. -End- |
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