Years of community service in the Ba area paid off for FijiFirst candidate and social worker Viam Pillay.

His daughter Deepika Pillay, was ecstatic with the thought of her father becoming a parliamentarian

“I’m proud because I know what he has worked towards and all his sacrifice has finally paid off. We don’t have any words to describe how he feels right now,” she said.

Mr Pillay is among the party’s 32 candidates who have won a seat in the new Parliament.

He said he never thought he would contest the election because of the financial aspect of becoming a candidate for the poll.

However, with the assistance provided by his families locally and abroad he was able to contest.

“I was not in a position to contest the election because in order to stand you need to be financially stable but since I have been a volunteer for the past 22 years I never thought I will be contesting but then I was encouraged and called by the FijiFirst office so I then applied,” Mr Pillay said.

“It’s great being with FijiFirst and from the beginning I was sure I will be part of the FijiFirst team after the election. I have been working with this government for the last seven years and I have been with them from Day One and even before the election I have said that the future is bright with FijiFirst and its all visible. People can see what good things they have done.”

Mr Pillay attributed his win to the people of Ba and thanked the Ba communities for their support and votes.

“I was given one month to campaign but I was already on the ground doing things. I’ve been a social worker for the last 22 years and also the advisory councillor together with the chairman of the Ba District Advisory Council. “It wasn’t difficult for me because I was already with the settlements and the villages and also I must thank the villages of Votua, Natutu, Toge, Balevutu, Derelali, Naikamusu, Koroqaqa and all the people from Ba.”

While volunteering, Mr Pillay said his children’s educational needs were paid for by his family members.

He also clarified that he spent close to $7000 on campaigning.

“This win is for the people of Ba and Fiji and the great support I have been receiving from the family for the last 22 years.  I was not paid throughout all 22 years and it was financially paid for by my brothers and sisters.”

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