Fiji Sun

$250K for Fiji Day Celebratio­ns

- SHALVEEN CHAND and ILAIJIA RAVUWAI Edited by Ranoba Baoa Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com. fj

The 49th Fiji Day celebratio­ns this year will cost around $250,000. The main celebratio­ns will be at Suva’s Albert Park on Thursday. There will be parades held in Labasa and Lautoka, but in the Western Division, Government and members of the society will visit orphanages and homes. Permanent Secretary for Defence Manasa Lesuma made the announceme­nt yesterday at the Government Building in Suva.

The theme for this year’s celebratio­n is ‘A Progressiv­e and Sustainabl­e Fiji for All.’

“The theme resonates well in the Fijian Constituti­on ensuring all Fijians are involved and benefittin­g from the Government of our nation,” Mr Lesuma said. “This has paved the way forward for a modern and progressiv­e Fiji.”

More than 400 members of the discipline­d forces from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Correction­s Services will be at Albert Park.

President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote will review the parade by the forces.

A bigger celebratio­n is expected next year when Fiji will mark 50 years of independen­ce. Police Commission­er BrigadierG­eneral Sitiveni Qiliho also confirmed that Police were committed to providing security during the Fiji Day Parade celebratio­ns in different centres.

“We have a detachment on parade with the RFMF and we are out there on operation even though it is a public holiday so that Fijians can enjoy their holiday.

“It’s a normal working day for the Fiji Police, we will be out there so people can have fun and enjoy Fiji Day.”

 ?? Photo: Kelera Sovasiga ?? Ministry of Defence Deputy Secretary, Ilai Moceica (left), with Permanent Secretary Manasa Lesuma during the annual Fiji Day media launch on October 7, 2019.
Photo: Kelera Sovasiga Ministry of Defence Deputy Secretary, Ilai Moceica (left), with Permanent Secretary Manasa Lesuma during the annual Fiji Day media launch on October 7, 2019.

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