Koroilavesau to Act as PM
It is the first time the Minister for Fisheries is acting and he is the fifth minister appointed to the role
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau will act as Prime Minister after PM Voreqe Bainimarama flies out today for Japan and later New York.
It is the first time that he will be acting PM. It shows Mr Bainimarama’s confidence in him.
Also away from the country are ministers who have acted as PM before.
They include Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Minister for National Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Jone Usamate.
Mr Koroilavesau is the fifth
He is described as the “gentle giant” of Fijian politics. Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau may be an imposing figure, but he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
His close associates say he is a man of integrity. He is humble, but firm in his belief and values. Mr Koroilavesau’s appointment as Acting Prime Minister after PM Voreqe Bainimarama flies to Japan then to New York should come as no surprise.
He deserves it. He has worked hard to earn the confidence of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. He is also popular among his peers and respected by many people.
Since the 2018 General Election he has been working hard, visiting Fijians living in rural and maritime areas.
Mr Koroilavesau, 61, has travelled from island to island from the Yasawas in the West to the Lau Group in the East. He has traversed Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
He has spent long hours in talanoa sessions explaining not only issues relating to fisheries, but other national issues.
In the traditional setting, those sitdown face-to-face meetings are well received because of the personal touch.
In areas where his FijiFirst party received low votes, they respect him and he is hoping that they will change their perceptions. And these are areas where the Government had spent a lot of development dollars for basic infrastructure work and needs. In Parliament he reaches out across the political divide to Opposition MPs despite the differences. That’s his nature. It’s a personal quality that he has developed over the years through his:
Upbringing in Nalotu, Yawe, Kadavu, Experience in the Fijian Navy and, his business venture, Captain Cook Cruises
There was speculation in the run-up to 2018 that he could be returning to Captain Cook Cruises. That proved to be a false alarm.
Mr Koroilavesau, his associates say, is committed to ensuring that FijiFirst continues its development policies that have transformed the country and the people.
He has been rewarded for his loyalty. Cabinet Minister to ascend to the acting role.
He said yesterday: “I accepted the acting role with humility.”
He said the appointment was a privilege, an honour and an important responsibility.
He is regarded as one of the hardworking ministers who is often seen serving people in the rural and maritime areas. It is understood Mr Bainimarama has a lot of confidence in Mr Koroilavesau – that the nation will be in good hands while he and other ministers are away overseas. Mr Bainimarama, in his capacity as president of the Fiji Rugby Union, will be at Sapporo, Japan, tomorrow to help cheer on the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians as they play the Australian Wallabies in their Rugby World Cup opener. Then he travels to New York to attend the United Nations climate summit where he will join Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum will then travel to Montreal, Canada, to attend an international aviation meeting. Mr Bainimarama will visit Cuba and Fijian medical students there after New York.
Mr Seruiratu is also heading to New York for the climate change summit.
Mrs Vuniwaqa is in Kenya attending the Commonwealth Women Ministers meeting. She will travel to New York on Sunday to be a panellist at the climate change summit next week before returning home. Mr Usamate is in Samoa attending a meeting there. He returns on Monday.
Koroilavesau, 61, has travelled from island to island from the Yasawas in the West to the Lau Group in the East. He has traversed Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Koroilavesau said the appointment was a privilege, an honour and an important responsibility.