Achieving 100-Day Goal not a Walk in the Park
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition Government is wasting no time in getting to work.
The election victory celebration is over. Now the real work begins.
The new Government realises that its four-year mandate is not that long given the enormity of the task it faces and the challenges it must overcome.
One thing is certain. It won’t be a walk in the park.
But Mr Rabuka has started the journey on a positive note with his kind remarks about his predecessor, Voreqe Bainimarama, acknowledging his leadership and contribution and committing the new Government to build on the FijiFirst Government achievements. He has set the right tone.
When Mr Rabuka’s Cabinet convenes for the first time today, it will all be about what they want to achieve in the first 100 days.
If today is the first day, it has 99 days left to do it. The to-do list is long and the time-frame may be inadequate to accomplish all the outcomes. The legal loops they have to jump through would be a major challenge.
Their big ministerial line-up – ministers and assistant ministers – will be fully engaged to achieve their objectives. This is the first time in the history of our parliamentary democracy that there are no Government backbenchers (coalition MPs without any ministerial portfolios).
All the 29 coalition Government MPs each has a responsibility either as a minister or assistant minister.
All together there are 19 ministers and 10 assistant ministers, the biggest line-up of any Government so far.
While it has attracted attention from the Opposition, no doubt focussing on cost, the planned reduction of ministerial salaries, could offset the additional expenses.
Each ministry will undergo a thorough budget scrutiny with the new Government likely to ride out the last six months of the National Budget of the FijiFirst Government.
There could be a mini-Budget to gradually ease the coalition Government into the nitty gritty of public fund management with new Minister for Economy Professor Biman Prasad playing the lead role.
Going by what was said during the election campaign, there would be consultations with key industry players and stakeholders and even an economic summit to gauge their mood, hope and aspirations.
The former Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said they were keen to see the economy keep growing.
The Opposition would do it in its contribution during the Parliament debate.
The coalition Government has several other issues to deal with during this period. They include:
The phasing out of the procurement office (Head 4; Programme 1; Activity 5) and redeploy the allocation for the re-establishment of Government Supplies
Phasing out of Government vehicle leasing arrangement
Encourage retirees and former Fijian citizens living overseas to invest in Fiji through Viti Bonds by increasing the maximum amount to $500,000 from the current $200,000 with interest rate of at least six per cent for 10 years
Remove short term employment contracts for civil servants
Phasing out of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and incorporating it under existing relevant agency.
Preparatory work for holding local government elections in 12 months
Restructure of the judiciary to ensure speedy delivery of justice
Law to change to allow women to use their maiden name and vote in an election
Formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to heal the pains and scars from the events of 1987, 2000 and 2006
Reconvene the Commission of the Prerogative of Mercy to consider applications for mercy from Correctional facilities
Setting up of a Lands Claims Tribunal and review of the Foreign Investment Act to ensure transparency and better enforcement of regulations.
A copy of this list is being circulated among the members of the coalition partners.
The one sent to SODELPA had a request in iTaukei – “Sa kerei me da masulaka ka lolo vaka tiko na veisau” or We are requested to pray and fast about these changes.
The coalition Government will certainly need divine help to accomplish its goal.