Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM

The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics after a verbal instruction by the Prime Minister last Tuesday.

Under the FNU Act, the Minister responsible for FNU is the Minister responsible for tertiary education.

In this case, it is the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro.

This shocking move raises the question why the reassignment has been done despite what the FNU Act says.

There were some complaints against the FNU Vice Chancellor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba and some staff last year.

The FNU Council chaired by Semesa Karavaki was looking into this, and had taken over the recruitment process of executive appointments from the Vice Chancellor for the time being.

fijivillage News has been informed that Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro was told by Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Peni Sikivou that by the power vested upon the Prime Minister under the Constitution, his verbal instruction, now policy directives issued on the 13th of January is effective.

He says the reassignment is in consideration of the submission made by the Fiji National University to the Prime Minister in which it will benefit the university and the nation in terms of national development and national capacity building through its alignment to 23 ministries.

The finalisation of this ministerial direction is in process in readiness for the next Cabinet meeting.

Acting Prime Minister, Filimoni Vosarogo was expected to meet with the FNU management at 10am today.

However that will not happen today.

The Government will be calling various meetings with the Vice Chancellor and Senior Leadership Team in the transitional period.

Sikivou has said during this transition period, they will have the VC and senior team work with the PM's office via the Permanent Secretary of Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics.

Sikivou has also said in a letter to advise FNU Council that they are to put on hold everything until further notice from the Prime Minister.

The FNU Council is not part of the meeting with Vosarogo.

We are currently trying to speak to Prime Minister Rabuka, Acting Prime Minister Vosarogo, Minister for Education Radrodro, and the FNU.

Stay with us for developments.