Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa says he fully supports the Government’s decision to defer the Local Government elections, describing it as a necessary move to prioritise urgent national challenges and protect essential services.
Speaking to the media during the Pacific Housing Forum at the Holiday Inn in Suva, Nalumisa says the decision reflects the need for Government to focus on pressing economic and service delivery issues facing the country.
He says the deferment was made after careful consideration by Cabinet, adding that while many people had been looking forward to the polls, national priorities must come first.
Nalumisa says the Government is currently dealing with multiple pressures, including global fuel price impacts and rising energy costs, which are placing strain on both households and national utilities.
He says these challenges require immediate attention and resources, and that holding elections at this time would have placed additional financial pressure on the State.
Meanwhile,the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the Local Government elections will be deferred, with a new date to be set after the general elections.
