PM: Be responsible and humane

Fijians have been advised to always think before posting anything on social media. The plea came from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while commissioning a water supply project at Wailotua Village, Wainibuka, Tailevu, yesterday.

This was after people posted pictures and videos of the accident that happened at Nabou between Sigatoka and Nadi on Saturday. “The 2018-2019 Budget was widely praised for its focus on families, but I ask all Fijians to take that same focus and use it to reflect on how they can treat each other not only as fellow citizens, but as family,” Mr Bainimarama said. “Over the weekend, just across Viti Levu, we saw a tragic multiple-vehicle collision claim the lives of six people, while injuring many more.

“But while the wreck happened in Sigatoka, I know that the hearts of Fijians everywhere here in Tailevu included broke with the news.

“As a tight-knit nation of less than a million people, these are more than just nameless victims. “They are a cousin, a friend, a neighbour. As Fijians, we are all intimately connected and we must never lose sight of that.

“And I know that Fijians everywhere shared my anger and disgust that some individuals would be so irresponsible as to post images of the deceased on Facebook, or in the case of an insensitive newspaper, posting video of a grieving child who had just learned of the death of his loved ones. “At the scene, some stooped so low as to dig through the pockets and steal possessions of the victims even taking the boots off their feet. And unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we have witnessed such evils.

“This behaviour is despicable, it is cruel and it is unacceptable.” Mr Bainimarama said it was time for people to work together for the betterment of the country. “As your Prime Minister, I ask that all Fijians to treat each other as family and not think of what might get you ‘likes’ on Facebook. Think of the human lives that are impacted by your actions,” he said.