Five decades after independence, Fiji is still facing enormous leadership and governance challenges – Chaudhry

54 years down the road from Independence Fiji is facing enormous leadership and governance challenges, endangering the very future of our nation.

In his Fiji Day message, the Fiji Labour Party Leader and former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry asks if we as a nation are living in denial, because this is the question we should be seriously asking ourselves as we observe Fiji Day.

He also questions what reasons we have to celebrate Fiji Day.

Chaudhry says there is a crisis of confidence in our leadership, as leaders are seen to be self-serving, seemingly devoid of ethics and integrity, and insensitive to the needs and aspirations of the common people.

He says the government failed to keep their campaign promises to the people and above all, it has been rocked by scams and scandals to the utter disgust of the electorate.

He highlighted that Parliament has lost respect due to the undignified conduct of many of our MPs.

Furthermore, he adds the events of the last six months, in particular, have left the nation reeling in shock as people watched in dismay at the open defiance of the rule of law by those in authority.

He stresses the very guardians of law and order have themselves interfered in the due process in a blatant display of cronyism and clique-ism, compromising the integrity and independence of our constitutional offices.

Chaudhry asks how can any government be trusted if those in authority continually frustrate the processes put in place to keep them accountable.

He says equally disillusioned and frustrated, thousands of our young - professionals, skilled and unskilled, continue to leave our shores for a better future elsewhere.

Chaudhry says some five decades after independence in 1970, Fiji continues to be a struggling nation, with close to 50 percent of our people living in deprivation, facing enormous difficulties on a day-to-day basis.