Ono-i-Lau Backs PM
Villagers of Ono-i-Lau have pledged their support for Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his FijiFirst Government.
They made the pledge on the basis of the Government assistance, particularly the free school fees, free textbooks and free Weet-Bix and milk.
They have also found that the FijiFirst Government keeps its promises.
In the 2014 general election, Mr Bainimarama received only three votes from Onolevu District School polling station, one of the three polling booths on the island. Ro Teimumu Kepa (SODELPA) polled 84 and Dr Jiko Luveni (then FijiFirst) originally from Nukuni Village on the island scored 19. In the other two polling stations, only Ro Teimumu and Dr Luveni featured. From the three polling stations the total number of votes were: Ro Teimumu 133, Dr Luveni 94 and Mr Bainimarama 3.
Lau was told by their chiefs to vote for Ro Teimumu but the mood on Ono-i-Lau has changed.
Motokana Village headman, Josefa Nadovo, said past Governments used to make false promises.
“We want the Bainimarama Government to remain because they have made our lives easier. They never break what they promise to villages unlike the other past governments,” Mr Nadovo said.
“Past leaders would visit the villages, listen to what we say and smartly take notes but no action was taken.
“Actions speak louder than words, this is why we are want to see the return of the FijiFirst Government. We are tired of the false promises of the past.”
Doi village headman, Mataika Pasi, echoed similar sentiments.
“We cannot wait for election day to vote for the Bainimarama Government,” Mr Pasi said.
“The Government of the day does not differentiate people.
“They have lifted the living standard in the village with the free education schemes and many others.
“Imagine if he (Mr Bainimarama) runs for another four years, Fiji would be able to achieve greater things,” he said.
Onolevu District School committee president, Solomone Colati, said since free education was introduced, the living standard in the village had been lifted.
“All the children in the village are able to attend school,” he said.
“Before, there were lot of cases of school dropouts in the village. Now with the free education scheme, there are fewer cases of school dropouts.
“Also, most children did not know what Weet-Bix was. Now they know what it is. Thanks to the Government. Children in these islands are able to eat what children in the main islands are eating.
“This is why we are voting for the FijiFirst Government.”
