12 January, 2026, 7:43 pm Central - 23°C Rain

Acting PM says Ditoka and NDMO need to be commended for their work while Ketan Lal calls for Ministers to be fired for drinking grog

Acting PM says Ditoka and NDMO need to be commended for their work while Ketan Lal calls for Ministers to be fired for drinking grog

By Vijay Narayan , Alipate Narawa
15/11/2023
Acting Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad

Acting Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad says Minister for National Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka who is leading the the government operations relating to Tropical Cyclone Mal is doing a fantastic job and people can see the efficient and effective delivery of services.

While reacting to questions regarding the criticisms by FijiFirst MP, Ketan Lal that all of the Ministers should be fired as they were busy drinking grog while the people were suffering and preparing for the worst, Professor Prasad says all arrangements were in place and 182 evacuation centres are active.

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He also says this is probably the first time after so many years that we can see a government that is clearly focused on making sure that they inform the public in the most effective way and their communication has been very efficient.

Professor Prasad says people can see the NDMO is very well prepared in disaster preparedness and response.

He says comments coming from Ketan Lal are wildly foolish, reckless and uncontrolled.

Professor Prasad says Ditoka should be commended for his leadership, and every Ministry is on stand by to assist including the Ministry of Finance and Planning Office.

He says people who need help will be assisted, and they are not bothered about Lal’s stupid comments.

A meeting is currently and we expect further announcements this afternoon.

Ketan Lal shared a post of the Attorney General, Siromi Turaga where he said he made a brief visit to the HQ of Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management yesterday afternoon, after a meeting of Permanent Secretaries or the Emergency Committee. The post had photos of Attorney General and the Minister for Disaster Management having some grog with other officials.

Lal says we should give them the award of Coalition Groggy Ministers for 2023.

He says people are already affected, and now you see the two ministers drinking grog.


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