Don’t need to be in limelight: Ditoka
Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka says all political leaders don’t always need to be in the limelight to get work done. Mr Ditoka said the divisional commissioners and all senior officials were ready to do what needed to be done during national emergencies. On social media, he said all the arms of Government in their divisions converge under their leadership and they will take necessary actions to address the emergency facing them at divisional level.
“If and when a state of emergency is declared, then I, as mandated by law, will chair the appropriate committee to coordinate the national response,” he said.
“Until then, the commissioners have full charge of their divisions.” He said he receives briefing from commissioners regarding their respective divisions everyday but when there’s a change in a weather pattern he sometimes gets hourly briefs.
“Oftentimes, it’s best that space be given to our hardworking public servants to do what they are fully trained and qualified to do,” he said.
“They’ll know when an issue or a situation needs a nudge at the political level and that’s when we politicians are expected to earn our money.
“This Coalition Government is not micromanaging our civil servants. The Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka allows us, his ministers our space, we allow them likewise theirs,” he said.
He said it was time to rebuild the country’s cyclone relief and rehabilitation preparedness capability.
‘I will fight for you’
Meanwhile, he said he would fight on behalf of the staff at the political level so that the ministry moved forward.
He made the comment when he was welcomed by the Commissioner West, Apolosi Lewaqai, and the ministry staff in the West on Wednesday night.
During his two-day visit, he inspected some key rural development projects.
While calling for dedication from the ministry’s staff members, Mr Ditoka promised them that their job security and welfare would be protected.
“At this position, I will work hard and I assure you that I will fight on your behalf at a political level and you will also fight for me so that this ministry will move forward,” he said.
“There may be some changes, but it will be good changes.”
He said the challenges ahead of them could only be tackled through working together and improving the way things were carried out. “All that has been piled up from the past years is like a mountain ahead of us. This mountain needs to be shaken.
“I can assure you that nothing is impossible if we work together.
“We can improve the way things are done so that we can serve the people better.
“I invite all of us to give ideas on how we can improve our work.
“Fiji does not only belong to the political level, but belongs to each and every one of us.”
Mr Ditoka thanked the Commissioner West and all the ministry staff in the West for the work they had done.
There may be some changes, but it will be good changes. Sakiasi Ditoka Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management