3 Opposition Leaders Call on FijiFirst in USP Saga

Leaders of the National Federation Party, Unity Fiji and the SODELPA are calling on the FijiFirst Government to respect the University of the South Pacific’s legal existence as a corporate body.

The joint statement called on Government to allow the USP Council to govern the university according to law and to allow the principles of good corporate governance to regulate the affairs of USP, and not what they called the rule of the jungle.

“By not paying USP the due sum, the Bainimarama Government is jeopardising the welfare of more than 15,000 Fiji students, and thousands of students from our friendly neighbours in the Pacific region,” the political parties claimed. “Holding the grant and trying to push out the Vice Chancellor displays the temperament of a spoilt kid who throws temper tantrums when not granted his wish by the seniors.”

They said as host country the Government must never threaten the institution instead they should go out of their way to ensure that the institution is comfortable in

Fiji.

“The behaviour of the Bainimarama Government over the past year with regard to USP displays an unPacific like arrogance which can come only from people who do not value good corporate governance principles and Pacific cultures and traditions,” the statement claimed. “We are reasonably advised that the Bainimarama Government may consider revoking the work permit of the Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Any such move will not only destroy Fiji’s standing in the Pacific region and globally, but it will also work against Fiji’s interests.”

According to them there is a possibility that USP might move their headquarters to another Pacific country should Professor Ahluwalia’s work permit be revoked. They claimed this will destroy hundreds of jobs for Fijians and millions of dollars of revenue that the Government gets annually from the employments.

“The funds meant for USP were approved by Parliament. These must be paid. USP’s audited financial statements show no evidence of any problem sufficient to get a contributing member to hold its grants to the university.”

“The Bainimarama Government must respect the integrity of the institution and the auditing company which did the external auditing of USP’s books. Pejorative behaviour has no place in modern state governance.”

The Opposition leaders said they hope Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will issue necessary instructions to the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to release the grants and to cease what they called any further interference with USP Council’s mandate and the management of the university.