The Suva City Council has been asked by the  Ministry for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe to clarify an application letter from the Fiji Trades Union Congress.

This after FTUC national secretary Felix Anthony allegedly claimed on his Facebook page that applications have been made to the Suva City Council, Fiji Roads Authority, Police Department and the Divisional Commissioner for a workers’ march permit.

He said the applications to these organisations were lodged on Tuesday.

“Surprisingly, the Suva City Council has written back to advise that the Sukuna Park is now zoned as a recreational park and will therefore not allow a rally unless we sought permission from the Local Government Ministry,”Mr Anthony said.

In response, Mr Wycliffe said: “I have not instructed in this instance for the Council to seek the Ministry’s approval for the usage of the Park.

“In fact the Council has been asked to clarify when did the Council receive the application letter from Fiji Trades Union Congress?

“If this request was discussed at Council meeting and if so the what the Council resolution taken.”

Mr Anthony said: “Clearly, the Suva City Council prioritises recreation ahead of human rights and peoples’ constitutional rights. There is something drastically wrong with this sort of thinking.

“We are aware that the park is being used for other purposes without any problems, but SCC believes it not to demonstrate for fundamental rights.

“FTUC will take this matter up with the SCC and the ministry. Let us see whether true democracy exists in Fiji,” Mr Anthony said.

He said the National Executive Committee had decided to organise the march through Suva and a Rally at Ratu Sukuna Park on September 29, 2018 at 10.30am.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that an application was lodged by FTUC and was still going through the normal verification process.

Edited by Percy Kean

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