Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has urged all Fijians to vote in this year's general elections.
In his New Years message to the country, Bainimarama says he stands ready to take Fiji into the future, he stands ready to keep Fiji atop of the world, a leading nation among nations.
Bainimarama says he stands ready to bring even greater opportunity and prosperity into the life of every Fijian.
He has asked people to focus on real issues that matter to people and rise above the personal attacks and pettiness.
Bainimarama says we must be wary of any who seek to divide us on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion, location or socio‑economic status, or any who seek to exploit ordinary people for their own political gain.
The Prime Minister says the Fijian economy has soared to its eighth straight year of economic growth, thanks to the winning recipe of consistent economic policies, bold and modern ideas, sound fiscal management, investment in infrastructure and the effort and energy of ordinary Fijians.
He says he is happy to say that there is nothing but positive projections for Fiji’s growth in the years ahead.
Bainimarama says they will continue the programmes and initiatives that are the cornerstone of his Government’s agenda which are free education, new and resilient infrastructure, access to clean water, electricity, telecommunications and Government services, support to the entrepreneurs and special efforts to bring those on the margins into the economic fold, including women, young people, the disabled and those in the remote maritime and rural areas.
He says as Prime Minister what has stood out for him this past year is the love shown for our country and respect for each other, in their inclusiveness and in people’s willingness to work with each other and as united fellow Fijians.
He says that he sees that spirit in our peacekeepers, who sacrifice their own safety abroad in the defence of those who cannot defend themselves, in our teachers, who dedicate themselves every day to preparing our young people to be tomorrow’s leaders, and tomorrow’s parents, employees and entrepreneurs, in our doctors and nurses who dedicate themselves every day and night to ensure our health and well‑being and he sees it in all of our hard‑working people, supporting their families and helping to build the new Fiji.
He says that legacy of work must continue in 2018 and we must renew our commitment to the things that unite us as a people, to continue to make life better for the Fijian people, and to keep engaging and speaking out on the issues that matter to every Fijian.
