Editorial: Vote Wisely For A Strong Government That Provides Peace, Stability And Prosperity
When everything is said and done in this election hype about the last four years and moving forward to the next four years every vote will be crucial.
This is because the voters will decide what kind of Government is best suited to lead us until the next General Election in 2022 – a Government that provides security, stability, peace, economic empowerment and prosperity.
It is disappointing to note that voter turnout at pre-polling this year is lower at 64 per cent compared to 76 per cent in 2014. It is surprising after all the buzz about this election. Then again voting is voluntary.
If politicians have not noticed, there has been a quiet people’s revolution going on since 2014. That’s why they gave FijiFirst the mandate to run Fiji for four years.
Items they want have not changed. Among their priority needs, are:
- Access to better education and qualifications that will secure jobs
- Reasonable and sustainable income for an acceptable standard of living
- Assistance for ordinary people to get into business and commerce
- Assistance to help the poor, needy, disabled and the vulnerable like the elderly, women and children
- Safe and secure neighbourhoods
- Assistance to help iTaukei landowners, who own more than 90 per cent of the country’s total land mass, get a fair return either through lease money or commercial development.
- Equal opportunities
- Access to quality health facilities and services
- Better roads, bridges and jetties particularly in rural areas
- Better shipping services
What they mean is that no one is left behind or discriminated against.
Despite our cultural and religious differences, help should go to those who genuinely need it. This rationale is based on merit, not on race or religion.
If we are really honest with ourselves, leaving aside emotions, it is not difficult to identify the party whose policies match the people’s hopes and aspirations.
That party is FijiFirst. While many people have benefitted from its policies, there is a small group that is still to be reached.
There is no doubt that if FijiFirst is allowed to govern the country again for another four years, it will get to this group.
We all know that rural development is a big priority for this Government. Four years may not be enough to implement what it wanted to do.
That’s why it needs another four years. It has a proven record that its policies are innovative, unprecedented in a lot of respects and inclusive.
It has an advantage over other parties going into this election because it has set in motion a programme that will take this country to the future.
Its initiatives are people-oriented. That’s why it attracted large crowds to its rallies across the country.
While pre-polling voter turnout was below expectation, it is not too late to come out in force and vote when polling begins on Wednesday.
The future of this country depends on the voters and it’s important they vote wisely.
FijiFirst leader Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama stressed this in Lautoka yesterday in his closing campaign remarks. Let’s take heed.
NEMANI DELAIBATIKI
Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj
