The Leader of the Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama vacated the government owned residence at Muanikau Road at around 2pm today.
Acting Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pita Wise says Bainimarama has handed over the keys of the Muanikau residence and also the official Prime Minister’s residence at Ratu Sukuna Road, and moved to another government quarters in Domain where he has signed up to pay rent at the market rate.
Bainimarama continued to occupy the Muanikau residence which used to be the official residence of the Chief Justice, and Wise says they were told Bainimarama was also using the Ratu Sukuna Road residence for meetings.
Image: Muanikau Residence
Rabuka continues to stay at his private residence in Namadi Heights after being sworn in as Prime Minister on December 24th last year.
Wise says the Public Works Department has checked the residence at Ratu Sukuna Road, and has assessed that it will cost a substantial amount of money to repair.
He says the residence was not maintained.
Wise says they have been told that it will take 12 to 14 weeks for the work to be completed. He says Rabuka’s instruction remained, and that was to give time to Bainimarama to vacate the Muanikau residence.
There has been no official response by Bainimarama.
Wise says while Bainimarama has rejected the offer of a government quarters of the Leader of the Opposition, the Acting Permanent Secretary maintains their plan has always been to regularise the entitlement through Parliament if Bainimarama agrees to the offer.
We have sent Bainimarama questions on his decision and plans. He has not responded.
Wise confirms Rabuka will move into the Muanikau residence after minor repairs are carried out.
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