Fiji Airports Limited is a classic example of how the right people in leadership positions can turn around an ailing Government commercial company into a cash cow.

Faiz Khan has been instrumental in turning FAL’s fortunes around.

His leadership in FAL and also in Fiji Pine/ Tropik Woods shows that appointing people on merit and giving them the free hand to run their organisations is the perfect combination for success.

On Tuesday, Fiji Airports Limited paid Government $45 million in dividends. Over the last four years, they have paid more than $100 million in dividends and more is expected.

Mr Khan led the Nadi International Airport terminal modernisation project and upgrade to success.

Nadi International Airport was accorded international recognition by Skytrax as the sixth most improved airport in the world last year.

All other countries on Skytrax’s list were developed nations, with populations up to 10 times more than Fiji.

Under his leadership, the company made record $80m profits in 2017.

When we talk about Fiji Pine and Tropik Woods, it would be amiss not to mention that he turned around an insolvent, debt stricken company and made it debt free – through record profits and cash generation.

They upgraded the Drasa sawmill to a state-of-the-art sawmill without borrowing a cent.

And, above all, re-built trust with pine landowners and started giving them returns over the past five years.

Never before had returns been given to pine landowners. This year the pine landowners received $7 million.

Does his race matter? No. Does his religion matter? No.

But, every time a list of Muslims have been drawn up to show that Muslim’s are “taking over”, Mr Khan’s name has made it to that list.

It is sad that there are some elements in our society, who have not been able to look past his achievements and achievements of all other Fijians who have made a contribution and those who have been appointed on Boards purely on merit.

His name was also read out in Parliament by a SODELPA Member of Parliament from a list.

That member omitted the achievements and qualification of those on that list.

When that list was read out, National Federation Party did not object to it. They kept quiet.

If we are to progress as a nation, we need to look at people’s merits. Nothing else should matter.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj