All around us, we see the power of people working together and this is how Fiji should be - NFP Leader

National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says all around us we see the power of people working together and this is how Fiji should be.

Prasad stresses that we must hold true to the spirit of unity and understanding of our independence because freedom, hope and glory is still ours if we grasp it.

He says better days lie ahead if we achieve genuine national unity and shared vision.

As Fiji celebrates its 51st anniversary, Prasad adds we should reflect and think about our country, where it has been and where it is going.

He says for many of us right now, things are bleak.

Prasad adds COVID-19 has devastated our lives.

He says hundreds of loved family members have died and many more have been left permanently harmed by this disease.

Prasad further adds tens of thousands have lost jobs and livelihood and are living with the help of family, friends and the many concerned and kind-hearted people in our community who have stepped up to help.

The NFP Leader adds we are led by a Government that cares more about its own bruised egos than the people.

He says they are changing laws on taxation, iTaukei land and voter registration.

Prasad says the government is also firing senior civil servants whose views they do not like.

He adds at a time when people need reassurance, vision and wisdom, all we can see is mean-spiritedness and pettiness.

The NFP Leader says all around us we still see signs of strength and hope.

He adds our health front-liners stayed at their posts and fought back against COVID-19 when our leaders disappeared from view.

Prasad says all around Fiji, civil society groups and concerned humanitarians collected money, found those in need and stepped up to give people food and medicines they could no longer afford.

He further says they know of dedicated teachers who have gone the extra mile to keep their young students’ minds engaged and active and business owners who dug into their own pockets to keep their workers employed even when no money was coming in.

Prasad adds they want to help to deliver a government that works with and builds up our community leaders, not one which orders them around and tries to tear them.

He says they imagine a government that acts with humility and which recognises the thousands of citizens who, every day, in ways large and small, put others first and work to make Fiji better.

Prasad further says we can have better education for our children, better health for our loved ones and better-paying jobs.

He adds we can live without fear of our government and enjoy our God given freedoms without restrictions.

The NFP Leader stresses that if we can work together under good leadership, there is no limit to the things we can do.

Prasad says these are difficult days, but they believe better days are ahead.

He says they believe that in the next year or so, we will have a new government, a new sense of purpose, a new vision and a time for renewal.

Prasad adds they ask our fellow citizens to remember that soon, for one day only, the power will return to them.

He stresses that is when they have a democratic right and a national duty, to make things better – with their votes.

Prasad says this is the time to recall the giant strides made by our country’s founding fathers like NFP founder leader A D Patel who led the struggle for Independence and a fair Constitution, and his successor S M Koya who together with the then Chief Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara achieved consensus paving the way for Independence.