The Office of the Prime Minister has today confirmed that there is no time frame on when the Leader of the Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama is to vacate the government owned residence at Muanikau Road while it has been revealed that the keys to the official Prime Minister’s residence along Ratu Sukuna Road has also not been handed over.
Acting Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pita Wise says the keys of the Ratu Sukuna residence are not at the office and were not handed over as well.
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka last lived in that official PM’s residence until 1999.
Bainimarama continues to occupy the home which used to be the official residence of the Chief Justice, and Wise says they have been told Bainimarama was also using the Ratu Sukuna Road residence for meetings.
Rabuka continues to stay at his private residence in Namadi Heights after being sworn in as Prime Minister on December 24th last year.
Wise says the Public Works Department has checked the residence at Ratu Sukuna Road, and has assessed that it will cost a substantial amount of money to repair.
He says the residence was not maintained.
Wise says they have been told that it will take 12 to 14 weeks for the work to be completed. He says Rabuka’s instruction remains, and that is to give time to Bainimarama to vacate the Muanikau residence.
There has been no official response by Bainimarama.
Wise says while Bainimarama has rejected the offer of a government quarters of the Leader of the Opposition, the Acting Permanent Secretary maintains their plan has always been to regularise the entitlement through Parliament if Bainimarama agrees to the offer.
We have sent Bainimarama questions on his decision and plans. He has not responded.
