It didn’t have to be this way
Strong leaders listen
GREETINGS readers during this uncertain time in our nation’s history. Sadly, today, I must write my honest opinion regardless of whatever repercussions may come and express what so many of the public want to say but are unable to do so.
I am writing this article with some hard facts and now to express my embarrassment with the leaders of our beloved nation, who have ignored my pleas on behalf of so many big and small businesses, civil society, private sector, public sector and the general public to reconsider their course of action that has led us to where we are today.
I am embarrassed. I had to write publicly in The Fiji Times newspaper on June 5 asking strongly for a lockdown and also outlining exactly how we could carry out this comprehensive task plus have a massive vaccination drive. At that time we only had 212 active cases for the whole week which could easily have been contained and quarantined.
I continued to lobby for a lockdown and pleaded with our leaders in a strong article on June 12. The numbers at this point were only 396 active cases for the whole week.
I am embarrassed that the leaders of our nation chose to ignore these pleas when we had a chance to rectify the situation. Today we have the highest amount of infection cases in the world per million population with more than 7000 active infected cases and rising every day, which is frightening.
Forget tourism, forget foreign investment, forget growing the economy, our leaders have to finally bow before the people and confess that we are in a deep crisis with huge debt levels and don’t even have the necessary funds to fix our health system, fix our roads or even sustain the poor and needy over this bleak period of time and going forward.
I am embarrassed as I had to personally emailed Dr Fong numerous times. On May 24 I pleaded for a lockdown when our infection rate was just 164 cases for a whole week. I then again personally emailed Dr Fong on June 7 outlining my very serious concerns when our infection rate for the whole week was just 396 cases.
Even these personal emails have fallen on deaf ears. I understand that Dr Fong is not the decision maker, but his superiors will now need to take accountability for this non action.
Always remember strong leaders listen and we certainly haven’t seen that happening in any shape or form with the government leaders as our citizens are crying from the pain and suffering they are going through with mental health, physical health, financial and so many other ailments as this pandemic goes into its third month.
I am embarrassed that the government leaders continue to move around in plush fancy four-wheel drive vehicles with bodyguards and drivers while our sick and dying citizens, who are suffering from the effects of COVID-19, have to plead for transportation just to get them to very limited medical attention.
I am embarrassed that our Minister of Health tells the nation only a few weeks ago on June 4 that the “outbreak is under control”, which was certainly not the case.
Then we have the PM’s statement on June 11 stating that “everything is under control” which is so very wrong when we knew the situation was only getting worse on the ground.
I am ashamed that our leaders continue to insult hardworking NGOs, who feed the poor, assist medically and give relief packages to the disadvantaged. If there was ever a time to say sorry and ask for forgiveness to these NGOs and join hands and work with them it’s now.
I apologise in advance, but there are so many individuals, groups, businesses and organisations requesting for our leaders to now throw in the towel and step down. These pleas are Fiji wide on social media, mainstream media and now even overseas commentators, as there seems to be no direction, no confidence, no funds available and certainly no plan for the citizens except disillusionment, as the country continues on a steep downward spiral.
Yes, we will eventually get through this pandemic, but I believe that because of very poor decisions, it will take us so much longer to navigate this dark and dangerous path and it didn’t have to be this way.
Finally, I love my country, but I am ashamed of our leaders.