Reply to Chaudhry
Kamal Narayan, Navua
I refer to an article on Fiji Village where Mahendra Chaudhry claimed that vendors at the Navua Market do not have proper shelters and a public convenience.
As a Navua resident and community worker, I find the article as false and heavily politicised. In fact, in 2020, I wrote to the Lami Town Council requesting the removal of illegal timber shacks, which were constructed in the 1990s. I was very happy with the response from the then chairman, Mr Isikeli Tikoduadua, informed me that this was in process, and we later saw it removed and 35 temporary stalls constructed at the same place.
I had the pleasure to attend several meetings with the Minister for Local Government to discuss the new market, including the recent meeting where she announced that the Government had allocated funds to commence construction of a new market.
I, daily, while in town, visit the Navua Market and from Monday to Friday, I have never seen a vendor selling outside a marquee. Last Saturday, I noted several vendors selling and I was pleased that additional marquees and tables were provided. I also see the public convenience available for vendors. This Fijian Government has done a lot for vendors and farmers at the Navua Market. Can I ask Mr Chaudhry, when he was Prime Minister, how many markets did his government build for town farmers, and what incentives did his government provide to market vendors?
This current Fijian Government has gone beyond imagination including providing accommodation to shelter rural farmers at the market.
Mr Chaudhry needs to wake up and think intensively because we are in a new era of politics compared to the days when he was claiming to be a champion of Indo-Fijians and politicising through personal attacks on almost everything.
Time and again, Mr Chaudhry used to crucify the National Federation Party (NFP) leadership by talking about the clashes between the late Mr Koya and Mr Reddy.
It will be good for Mr Chaudhry to stop running down nearly everything and start to appreciate the good things in the true spirit of developing a healthy nation.