Participate in reforms - PM

Publish date/time: 17/08/2012 [13:02]

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is calling on accountants, business people and professionals to participate in the important political, constitutional and electoral reforms underway in Fiji.

While speaking at the 15th CPA Australia-Fiji Branch Annual Congress in Nadi this morning, Bainimarama told the participants that accountants, business people, lawyers, engineers and other professionals have tended to shy away from such nation building processes in the past.

He said they have put forward their agenda through the mouths of others and have not come forward themselves. 

However Bainimarama said that each and every Fijian has something of value to contribute to the Constitution Commission through their unique experience and individual knowledge and they must no longer remain silent.

“The business community has a particularly important role to play in this process. Your unique insight is essential to ensure that we achieve the best results possible. You must be a part of the process, and your views must inform the finished product. We need to break away from the patterns of the past, when professionals were content to attend forums such as this, and leave the reform processes to others - to the political parties and the other groups that have traditionally held power in Fiji - what I call the “vocal elites”. The fact is that professionals bring to the table skill sets that a Government would need." 

Bainimarama said that while this is a platform for all Fijians, including political groups and NGOs, there is a need to ensure that careful attention is paid to those who have not participated in any such process before and to encourage those who have historically been unheard, either by circumstance or by choice.

Story by: Sneh Chaudhry