The Fiji Times

‘Developmen­t under FijiFirst done faster’

- By PAULIASI MATEBOTO

FIJIFIRST will continue operating along the lines of existing policies on developmen­t that has cemented the party’s track record while in power.

This, according to FijiFirst party leader Voreqe Bainimaram­a.

Speaking during a party campaign in Navua on Friday, Mr Bainimaram­a said developmen­t done by his government over the years was done at a faster pace compared with previous government­s.

“The whole of Naitasiri was dark, the power lines came over from Monasavu to Suva but when we came into power, we lit up Naitasiri,” he said.

FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said despite the instabilit­y around the world and other political parties, both Fiji and FijiFirst, under the leadership of Mr Bainimaram­a, remained stable.

“The other political parties are asking you to steer away from stability and move to instabilit­y, do not make that mistake,” he said.

“Under the Bainimaram­a government, everyone is treated equally.”

He said under the FijiFirst government, medical services had become accessible to all Fijians as 43 medical centres around the country provided medical services paid for by the government.

“No other government thought about it.”

Party candidate Mosese Bulitavu said under the FijiFirst government, no civil servant had a pay cut despite numerous calls from opposition parties to reduce civil servant pay during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FijiFirst candidate Elaine Chandra said FijiFirst’s free education policy had enabled many children in the country to go to school.

The former teacher claimed that through the free education scheme, more than 99 per cent of Fijians could read and write.

“No other Prime Minister could ever do that, as an educator I believe in the power of education and I believe in the vision of our leader,” she said.

Meanwhile, other candidates spoke on issues such as infrastruc­ture developmen­t, tertiary education and the economy.

Mr Bainimaram­a also said the party would release its manifesto soon.

 ?? Picture: PAULIASI MATEBOTO ?? Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a with supporters during FijiFirst party’s campaign in Navua on Friday night.
Picture: PAULIASI MATEBOTO Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimaram­a with supporters during FijiFirst party’s campaign in Navua on Friday night.

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