Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has confirmed that the Turaga Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has accepted the nomination to assume our nation's Presidency.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Bainimarama says he will move Ratu Wiliame’s name today on the floor of Parliament to be the next President of Fiji.
Parliament will sit at 10am today to appoint the new President.
The Prime Minister adds he knows it was not an easy decision for Ratu Wiliame to leave his sanctuary in Naduri Village and he is grateful that he has offered his service to the nation as the government’s nominee for President.
Bainimarama says he cannot imagine a worthier successor to the proud mantle of leadership that President Konrote has established, at home as a pillar of national unity and abroad as a champion for peace and inclusive and sustainable development.
He says he has known Ratu Wiliame as one of our fiercest defenders of the ocean and of the right of Fiji's future generations to live in a clean, safe and natural environment.
Bainimarama says as the traditional leader of Macuata, he has served as a steward of our Great Sea Reef, the third largest barrier reef in the world.
He adds together, in 2018, they drew a firm blue line of sustainable management to defend that vital ocean ecosystem, protecting the home of 55 percent of the known coral reef fish in Fiji, 74% of our known corals and 40 per cent of all the known marine species in our islands.
Bainimarama says Ratu Wiliame’s vision of a better and bluer Fiji is the vision of your government for every Fijian in every province of the country.
He says for the sake of our people, our environment, and our future generations, it is a vision they will march towards together should his nomination succeed.
