Seruiratu Responds to Bainivalu: Focus on Delivery, Not Blame

Opposition MP Inia Seruiratu has responded to comments made by Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu, saying her attempt to deflect accountability is disappointing but unsurprising.

In a statement, Seruiratu said, “The Minister needs to be reminded that as parliamentarians, one of our key roles is representation. Regardless of whether one is in Government or in the Opposition, we are representatives of the people and have specific roles accordingly.”

He said that rather than addressing the pressing issues facing the people of Ra, Bainivalu had chosen to play politics with their suffering.

“I wish to clarify that as a Minister, you do not just serve one particular community but all Fijians, and for the Minister to say that I neglected or failed the people of Ra is simply not true. I am aware of the overall plan and specific projects back then, what we did while in government, and the expectation for continuity from where we left off,” Seruiratu said.

He said a Rural Roadshow was organised by the Ministry of Rural Development in Nawairuku Village in 2018, and that most of the requests brought up by the communities in the talanoa session at Nawairuku were implemented in the following years before the change in government in 2022.

“To name a few: along the coast of Ra was the Government Station (DO’s Office) in Namarai and the EFL Grid Extension. In the interior of Ra, the Nasau Health Center was reopened in October 2022. Road projects included the Waimari Crossing, Toki to Draunileka Road, Nasatogo to Navitilevu Road, and in 2022, to Nasoqo and from Nukulau to Roma, linking Ra and Naitasiri provinces,” he said.

“For rural water, the village of Nasukamai was assisted, and on Malake Island, 135 households now have access to clean water from Viti Levu. Prior to this, a total of 68 water projects were commissioned by government within the province,” Seruiratu added.

He said Ra was part of a $16 million allocation for EFL grid extensions to connect remote rural areas to the national energy grid. This included Delaiyadua to Namarai, Waimecia to Navesau, and the Tokaimalo expansions.

“This is one of the major reasons why I chose to visit these communities—to follow up on the progress of these projects since the change in government in 2022,” Seruiratu said.

He said the EFL grid is in place, but house wiring has not been done—or is only partially done—in Nawairuku, Namara, Nakorovou, Sawanivou, Nasau, Nasau Secondary School, Nasau Health Center, Nubumakita and Nukulau villages. “The road has reached Roma village, but the crossing at Draidrai is yet to be constructed.”

“I hope that the plight of these communities will be taken seriously and the government will continue and complete these projects with urgency. I urge the Minister to stop blaming the past and start delivering now, as the people of Ra deserve better than empty rhetoric,” Seruiratu concluded.