SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s interim finance minister and Labor Party leader says the priority for him now is to rebuild the Pacific nation’s economy after the blood less coup on December 5 last year.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing in at Government House this morning Mahendra Chaudhry said accepting the portfolio was a “strange twist of destiny” but there was a lot of work to be done for the betterment of the nation and its people.
“I think these are areas which need urgent attention — to revive the economy and to lift the living standards of our people to address the problems of unemployment and poverty. I will do my best to serve the nation and her people, Chaudhry said
“The sugar industry is a very important portfolio that has been given to me. It is in trouble and needs to be fixed. We have charted a course for the industry and this was done following the acceptance of the report done by the Sugar Technology Mission from India.
Chaudhry, however, said he won’t be drawn into debating the constitutionality of the interim government.
“The constitutionality or otherwise of the government that I pledged to serve is yet to be determined. There are a number of opinions being expressed — some against, some in favor.”
“What is more important at this stage in view of the serious economic decline and the problems associated with it is to get back to rebuilding the nation as quickly as possible.
“The constitutional issues might not be determined for a long time and even then it may determine in some cases to suit those who are opposed to the current situation.”
He brushed aside claims by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase that the Labor Party colluded with the military to depose his government.
“The problems that Fiji faced were being articulated by the Fiji Labor Party for a long time, about mismanagement of our finances, corruption, abuse of office, declining exports and ailing economy. I think this is what led to the Qarase Government’s downfall. I hope for the next two to three years at least we will be able to work together to get Fiji back on track.”
Chaudhry has also appealed to the international community to understand the political situation in Fiji and help the country return to democratic rule.
“We will be engaging the international community and I think I can already see that there will be understanding of the situation here.”
Also sworn in was former energy minister in the Laisenia Qarase government, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi who takes up the ministry of youth and sports and Jone Navakamocea as local government minister, urban development and public utilities.
Ousted deputy opposition leader Bernadette Rounds Ganilau was sworn in as tourism, labor and environment minister, geologist
Tevita Vuibau was appointed minister for lands and mineral Resources, Jainend Kumar as minister for agriculture and fisheries and former military Commander and National Alliance Party leader, Ratu Epeli Ganilau is yet to be sworn in as Minister for Fijian Affairs.