I was pushing in 2019 to urgently deal with the drug problem - Tikoduadua

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua says he had moved a motion for Parliament to appoint a special Parliament Committee to conduct an inquiry into the multifaceted risks of hard drugs in the country in 2019 because they had realized at that time that there was a growing public discussion on the effects of drugs and its availability on the streets.

While responding to a question on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on why he was pushing so hard at that time to have an inquiry, Tikoduadua says they saw the issue at that time needed urgent attention, even though the government had said that it was under control.

He says it was unfortunate that it ended with the debacle where he was assaulted by the former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama outside the parliament complex.

He adds that the Prime Minister at that time had to do what he did to make his point that he objected to the motion that was defeated in Parliament.

When asked if he had undergone counselling after getting assaulted, Tikoduadua says he did not undergo any counselling sessions, and he harbours no ill feelings to what transpired then.