PM and 3FIR plant mangroves at Nasese foreshore
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama joined the Third Battalion Fijian Infantry Regiment (3FIR) of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) in a mangrove planting activity at the Nasese Foreshore in Suva on June 20, 2020.
This was part of Infantry Week celebrations, which will conclude on June 23 at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua.
Either Emele Duituturaga or Mick Beddoes for general secretary of suspended SODELPA.
That’s if they apply for the position. Ms Duituturaga, some members say, has been doing the work since the suspended party split into two factions. Those close to her say she has the interest of the party at heart. Her leadership experience in civil society roles equips her for the future challenges of the suspended party.
She is the wife of Anare Jale, one of the suspended SODELPA MPs. Would this affect her final standing because of her relationship with a Member of Parliament. Would it affect her neutrality and the way she conducts herself ? Some say the relationship should not be an issue or an obstacle, As long as she is competent to do the job, she is a candidate for the post.
Her steadfastness in the face of strong challenge from former post holder Adi Litia Qionibaravi has earned her stripes to take on the crucial job two years before the next general election.
The only person who will stand in the way is Mr Beddoes if he submits an expression of interest. Mr Beddoes has an advantage. He has had experience in the party as the chief administrator in the Opposition Office when Ro Teimumu Kepa was party leader and Opposition leader. He was an advisor and close confidante of Ro Teimumu. So it will be business as usual if he returns.
The people who were responsible for making his time in the suspended party challenging and frustrating are no longer in control.
Mr Beddoes enhances the multiracial mix in the party. If he comes in he will be a great asset because of his wealth of knowledge and experience.
The new general secretary’s number one priority is to set in motion compliance of governance issues to avoid the pitfalls that the suspended party ran into. He or she will be contracted, paid a salary understood to be $50,000 a year and subjected to the same contractual obligations under the Employment Relations Act. The next big item is preparing the suspended party for the annual general meeting in either September or October.