The newly formed Unity Fiji Party has made a commitment to provide a credible alternative to the other Opposition parties in the 2018 General Elections.

Party leader, former Governor of the Reserve Bank Savenaca Narube said the search for a political alternative was over with a political team that was experienced, skilled and had a passion to deliver.

“Unity Fiji offers you not only a political alternative but a credible one,” Mr Narube said.

“We will deliver what we say we will deliver; we will deliver because we have a team that has the experience the skills, and the passion to deliver.”

Mr Narube was speaking on Friday at the launch of the party in Nadi for party members in the Western Division. Speakers who addressed the gathering included Nadroga chief Ratu Tevita Makutu Vosailagi, Party general secretary Satish Kumar and a community worker Mereoni Taginadavui.

The nucleus group at the Meet the People programme had over 100 people who attended the launch.

Mr Narube said he was overwhelmed with the number of people who signed up for the registration of the party which required 5000 signatures nationally.

“To register as a political party, we were required to sign up 1,750 members in the Western Division,” he said.

“We got more than 3,700 members which is more than double the required number.

“I believe that this large number was a strong and clear signal of the support from the Western Division.”

He said the requirements for the Central, Northern and Eastern divisions were all surpassed.

“I seriously believe that Unity Fiji will make a difference,” he said.

Mr Narube said the party would tread carefully on sensitive issues and not use them as political tools to achieve their goals at the cost of the people.

“You told us that you were resource rich yet cash poor. With its credible leadership and an experienced team, I assure you that Unity Fiji will address these issues in an integrated, objective and professional manner taking into account all sides of the issues,” he said.

“But what Unity Fiji will not do is to play politics with the issues that are important to you and your family which has been a major barrier to finding lasting solutions in the past and building unity.”

He said the strength of the Unity Party was prudent management.

“We consider our strength at Unity Fiji to be in economic and financial management,” Mr Narube said.

“With an experienced team, we will provide more jobs for our school leavers. “We will be more effective in improving health and education.

“We will raise the quality of public spending so your tax payers’ dollar will go further.

“We will not throw money at people as we all know that this is not effective. We will be more accountable and transparent to the people so you can be the judge of how well we are delivering what we promised to do.”

Unity Fiji will visit the North in the week beginning August 28 and launch the party in Labasa on Friday September 1.

The Party will end its “Meet the People” programme with meetings in the Central Division in the week beginning September 18 and the launch in Suva on Friday  September 22.

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