‘Immature and childish’

Ro Filipe responds to claims made by Lal on infrastructure projects

MINISTER for Public Works and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau has responded to claims made by Opposition member Ketan Lal as “immature and childish”.

In a Facebook post Mr Lal claimed the newly opened Toga, Naqavoka bridge, Viria water project and Queen Elizabeth Drive road works were initiated by the FijiFirst government, and the current government was taking credit for the projects.

“He mentions the Toga bridge and Viria Water Project. Toga bridge was shelved by FijiFirst because the tikina Toga did not vote for FijiFirst in 2018,” Mr Tuisawau said.

“FijiFirst made those who did not vote for them suffer until I came in to reactivate the project.

“On Viria, the landowners are up in arms because FijiFirst did not even consult with them nor were they included in any initial agreements on developments.

“We, the Coalition Government, are now working to include a development package with them to include water and roads.

“In Nagado, owners of Vaturu Dam land, when I presented my isevusevu they said that I was the first minister to visit them in the past 16 years.

“Various communities such as Momi Village and Bilo settlement were victims of false promises of water connections by FijiFirst in their 16-year rule but nothing happened until we came in and acted straight away.”

Mr Tuisawau said it was time everyone worked together for the betterment of Fiji.

“It’s childish because leadership is about what we, as a government, deliver to the people and not wasting time politicising and making dumb comments like we did this and not them. It’s kindergarten mentality to be talking that way.

“It is our responsibility to ensure all projects are delivered and that is what we are doing, apart from fixing the mess left behind by FijiFirst.

“For example, Fiji Road Authority was virtually bankrupt with contractors not paid and no capital funds.

“A special audit of FijiFirst blunders reveals a cost variations and escalations of $405million, 10 per cent of national budget; most approved by flyings minutes which was a serious breach.”

Mr Tuisawau said the deterioration of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) and government infrastructure was a direct result of the closure of the Public Works Department (PWD).

“We are working on fixing 16 years of blunders which cannot be fixed in one year.”