The Commissioner Northern’s office has asked the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to intervene and confer more decision making powers to government leaders in the North for the sake of developments in the division.
Commissioner Northern Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu remarked in his presentation to Commodore Bainimarama at Naulumatua House in Nabouwalu that the Government’s commitment to accelerate northern developments was undermined by officialdom.
The Prime Minister arrived at Nabouwalu a little before 11am and began his tour of targeted developments in the division with the briefing from heads of government departments in the North.
The briefing covered progress and hindrances affecting major sectors like sugar, agriculture, infrastructures and the way, in which they were contributing to the economy.
According to Mr Seruiratu, Government has put in place the Integrated Rural Development Framework but the effects of this haven’t been truly felt in the North.
Mr Seruiratu said this was because decision making power and funds approval continued to be made from a central authority usually based in Suva.
“Whilst Government wants to develop the North – most of Government’s major agencies are still in Suva and this delays the work for development – for example, roads because everything has to be referred back to Suva,” he said.
Commodore Bainimarama directed the commissioner to jot down his concerns in a report that must be addressed to the Prime Minister’s office and the Strategic Planning and Finance permanent secretaries .
He said people’s lives needed to be uplifted and nothing must stop developments from taking place.
The Prime Minister noted with concern the slow progress of development.
He said government agencies needed to be equipped with money and powers to be able to make instantaneous, well thought out decisions on the grounds.
And when this happens will the vision of the Look North Policy become reality.
Commodore Bainimarama will visit rice farms in Bua, hold consultations with farmers along with a visit to the Wairiki Pine Chip mill.
-End-