Positive beginning to charter initiative
Jan 18, 2008, 17:35

The proposed People’s Charter for Change and Progress initiative had a very positive beginning, with 34 of the total 45 members of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) at its first inaugural meeting on Tuesday January 16, at the Raffles Tradewinds Convention Centre in Lami.

Interim Prime Minister and Co-Chairman of the NCBBF Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the turnout saying he was very much encouraged by the response.

Said Commodore Bainimarama; “The foresight and courage that you have demonstrated, in coming on board the Peoples Charter initiative, affirms your commitment, as a leader, to place to the forefront, the interest of our Nation; to be part of a process that seeks to transform Fiji, towards better governance, sustainable parliamentary democracy, equity, stability, peace, and progress.”

Likewise, PM Bainimarama said that given the current political and economic climate of the country, the members of the Council have a mammoth task ahead of them.

He answered all of the wrong speculations surrounding the proposed People’s Charter saying “nothing concerning the proposed Peoples Charter has been cast in stone”.

“It is the responsibility of this National Council to develop a draft Peoples Charter. The proposed Charter will not replace our Constitution,” he said.

This was reiterated by fellow Co-Chairman of the NCBBF Archbishop Petero Mataca who said, the People’s Charter is work in process.

His Grace highlighted that when complete, the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, will not supersede the 1997 Constitution, but will strengthen it.



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(No.0113)