RFMF has been devastating for Fiji and it's economy – Usamate

Independent MP Jone Usamate empasized that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces has been devastating for this country with the coups, and the effect has impacted many generations.

While speaking during his end-of-week parliamentary statement, Usamate stressed the upheavals that happened in 1987 and 2006, has impacted Fiji's reputation globally and it's economy.

The Independent MP says no one should use the RFMF in this manner.

He also criticised the current administration for lacking efficiency, saying that much of their work in the past two years has been the continuation of projects initiated by the previous government.

Usamate says the current executive includes 23 ministers, which is double the 12 ministers under the previous administration, stating it as an “unheard” increase.

The Independent MP argued that the large cabinet leads to overlaps in responsibilities, with ministers stepping on each other’s toes and micromanaging due to a lack of substantial tasks.

Usamate stresses that if people are ineffective, they should be replaced.

Usmate says they have seen failed political candidates being elevated into positions that should have gone to those who have the competencies and untainted by politics.

While responding to the statement, Minister for Lands, Filimoni Vosarogo reminded Usamate the deeds of the FijiFirst Government, who interfered with institutions and reduced their effectiveness.

Vosarogo referred to scenarios where the previous government removed people when things didn't go their way.

The Minister said who would forget the removal of the Bureau of Statistics' CEO, Kemueli Naiqama, in 2021, when the Minister of Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum didn't like the methodology and disclosure of the poverty baseline.

Vosarogo says Usamate is wrong in trying to pontificate a holier-than-thou approach to what is otherwise quite a very interesting topic to have discourse about.

Vosarogo further says the former Solicitor General, whose appointment is equal as that of a judge, was unceremoniously suspended for not winning a case that he says they all know, as senior barristers of the courts, was not winnable from the start.

The Minister says the former Fiji TV Content Manager, Tanya Waqanika and former Fiji TV CEO, Tevita Gonelevu were removed merely for protecting the rights of the company.

He says Fiji TV is struggling with losses today.

Vosarogo jokingly thanked Usamate for always preaching publicly and loudly about hypocrisy.