As we get ready for the 2018‑2019 National Budget announcement tonight, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has assured the people of Fiji that the government will again be building on the opportunities they have already created for Fijians to prosper and continue with the infrastructure development that has transformed the nation's prospects.
Bainimarama made these comments while opening the Ba Provincial Council Meeting and says that tonight, his right hand man, the Attorney General and Minister of Economy will deliver the 2018‑2019 Budget Address.
He says much development has been in the Western division and rightly so, given their importance to the overall health of the national economy, especially through tourism and sugar.
Bainimarama says the achievements in the last 4 years includes the new Nadi Airport terminal, the Namaka to Denarau highway, and private partnership that will also transform the Lautoka hospital and provide a new range of medical services.
The Prime Minister says that government is bringing new development opportunities to iTaukei landowners by funding infrastructure works in various subdivisions.
He says out of the 11 approved national projects so far, nine are in the West, and seven of those are in the Ba Province.
Bainimarama says he has a quiet chuckle when he sees some of the slogans of political opponents like "Leadership that listens".
He says they do not even listen to each other, let alone the people, and are constantly fighting amongst themselves.
Bainimarama says he does not even know who the opposition leader really is, and certainly does not know how a political party that can't even govern itself thinks it can govern the country.
The Prime Minister says then there's another slogan that says "Change is Coming".
He says that it is going to be a very long time coming, because nothing has changed with these people, the constant carping but no fresh ideas about how to take Fiji forward, despite four years in the political wilderness and all the chance in the world to get their act together properly.
He says they have evidence that some of these political parties are trying to sow division and exploit ethnicity and religion for their own purposes.
Bainimarama says in the case of one of them, some of its politicians are going around the vanua telling people that the government has sold Fiji to the Chinese.
He says one of the MPs has been passing around an ancient photograph of Australian aborigines in chains and saying that will soon be the fate of Fijians.
The Prime Minister says they are actually being asked in government if it is true that they have sold Fiji to the Japanese, because for some of these people, all Asians look the same, and it would be a joke if it wasn't so serious.
Bainimarma says he will set the record straight once and for all and says that there is no chance whatsoever of a Chinese takeover in Fiji as we owe China only 10.6% of our total national debt and they are not in the position to take over anything.
He says there is no chance of a Muslim takeover in Fiji as less than 5% of Fijians are Muslim so they are not in a position to take over either.
Bainimarama says Fijian Muslims, like every other citizen ‑ are an integral part of our nation.
He says they not only belong but are greatly contributing to our nation's development and that includes the Attorney General, who more than anyone else, has delivered the unprecedented economic growth we are now enjoying.
The Prime Minister says the Attorney General is his trusted partner and friend, and he knows more than anyone how hard he has worked with Bainimarama over the past 12 years for Fiji and for the advancement of all our people.
Bainimarama says they are a team and a great team.
The Prime Minister says Sayed‑Khaiyum’s religion and his religion have never influenced the way they do their jobs.
He says they work closely together for the advancement of all Fijians, irrespective of religious affiliation or ethnicity.
Bainimarama says both these political parties know all this is true but they think the Fijian people are stupid enough to be hoodwinked.
SODELPA and NFP are yet to comment.
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