Rabuka calls on the Opposition to join them to move our nation forward

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is calling upon their friends in the Opposition to join them in their collective effort to move our nation forward.

While delivering the State of the Nation address ahead of the 2022-2023 National Budget announcement this Friday, Rabuka says they can take a bipartisan approach in the collective effort to rebuild the nation economically, socially and spiritually.

He says their collective hope and resilience lie in their shared destiny and common heritage.

Rabuka says there is no doubt, that we are going through a period of great disruption, unpredictability and global uncertainty.

He says despite these challenges, they are determined to persevere and navigate their way through geopolitical shocks and shifts caused by factors beyond their control in rebuilding the nation together.

The Prime Minister says the escalating tensions in the Taiwan strait; the war in Ukraine; the technology gap; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pose risks in their effort in rebuilding the nation.

He says our economy is troubled, but it is our duty to rebuild our nation together; and together we can and we will.

The Prime Minister says no other government since independence has been faced with the kind of circumstances confronting Fiji and her people today.

He says the challenges, the difficulties and dangers are numerous. Rabuka says we must manage the current unsustainable debt level, the largest Fiji has ever had since independence.

He says we must address a host of serious social and economic issues impacting virtually every aspect of our national life.

The Prime Minister says together, we can collectively address these challenges, but the government will need “all hands-on deck” in navigating a way out of these challenges.

Rabuka stresses that means all of us, not just the government, not just the business sector, but all our citizens must work together.

He further says while we continue to move forward in hope, we must use the opportunity to write a new chapter in the national development effort, after years of mistrust, lack of confidence and disunity.

Rabuka says we must return to basic human values that our parents and ancestors taught us - values like kindness, respect, hard-work and unity.

The Prime Minister adds our progress and prosperity as a nation, crucially depends on unity, mutual cooperation and understanding.