‘We will remove the fear’
THE rights and freedom of Fijians are under threat and abused under the FijiFirst government, says The People’s Alliance party leader Sitiveni Rabuka.
Speaking in Lautoka, he said fear among Fijians has been part of the current government’s machinery since 2006.
He said the leaders of FijiFirst were “experts in its use”.
“Basically people fear the Government will act against them if they say or do something the dictatorship does not like,” he said.
“Today I give you a pledge that a PA-NFP coalition government will remove the fear that haunts the nation.”
He said their party’s manifesto included sweeping plans for reforming and repairing key areas of government and the economy.
“We will also be focused on seeking investment and support for creating new industries and boosting the sick sugar industry, improving agriculture generally, the fisheries and forestry sectors, expanding tourism and building more houses at prices that people can afford.
“You can take it from me that benefits such as bus fare subsidies, free education, family assistance, pension allowances and water and electricity subsidies will be continued. In fact we will try to improve on what is currently available.
“In Lautoka, as elsewhere, consumers experience problems with the bus fare systems.
“We will consider amending these so that travellers without e-cards or who have insufficient funds in their cards may be permitted to pay manually.”
He added that they were also committed to giving back to ratepayers the right to elect their own municipal councils.
“Those rights were stolen from you by the dictators who promptly appointed administrators accountable to them rather than to the citizenry.
“In the national implementation of the manifesto there will be widespread, consultation with the people, including the population of Lautoka.”
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