PM Bainimarama in a League of his Own as he Spearheads Help
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama plans to embark on another tour of Cyclone Yasa stricken areas soon. He is expected to start in the worst-hit areas in the North and finish in Lau. Mr Bainimarama will inspect the recovery work and rehabilitation.
The tour will add to his incredible record of the highest number of kilometres covered in local tours and the longest number of hours spent with the people by any Prime Minister. He is a special cut above the rest and in a league of his own. There is no comparison when we talk about service to the people. And the amazing thing about it is that he does it year in and year out. He has maintained the momentum since he was re-elected in the 2018 General Election. He is well positioned for the 2022 election.
But election year or not, Mr Bainimarama continues his frantic pace.
These local tours are not for the faint-hearted. It can be exhausting if you are not up to it. For Mr Bainimarama he seems to be in his own element during these tours.
He was in the North visiting the devastated areas soon after the cyclone exited Fiji. After hectic field trips he would return after dark to his hotel and there would be people waiting to see him.
These were unscheduled informal meetings but he did not turn them away. They queued up to see him and shake his hands. He inspired and empowered them. He assured the victims and the rest of Fiji that we will recover.
And the process has already started and moving forward as fast as the resources and manpower are available.
His mission is to find out whether the rebuilding is happening at the rate it should. If it does not, then he is expected to call for
immediate remedial action.
That’s his signature style when he is on tour. He gets things moving on the spot. Government teams accompanying him are on their toes to provide Mr Bainimarama backup support. They are expected to supply information when required, deal with grievances and offer solutions. So they have to be ready.
With his impending tour, recovery workers on the ground, particularly Government employees, would make sure that he would not be disappointed.
They would do everything in their power to ensure that the projects they are engaged in would be ready to impress Mr Bainimarama. He would be particularly interested in not only people’s homes but also in schools and evacuation centres.
As a champion of education, Mr Bainimarama will lend his full support to Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar who wants the schools to reopen on January 19 without fail.
It is not clear whether relevant ministers involved in cyclone rehabilitation will accompany him.
The list could include Disaster Minister Inia Seruiratu, Infrarstructure Minister Jone Usamate, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, Ms Akbar and Agiculture Minister Mahendra Reddy.
After a short break Mr Bainimarama is ready to hit the road again, barring any unforeseen circumstances.