Pio Tikoduadua says neither he nor the director immigration have the power to issue a ‘stop departure’ order against Fijian citizens.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration further clarified that as the authority responsible for entry and exit from Fiji, the Immigration Department only enforces stop departure orders issued by Fijian authorities that were empowered to do so.

He said these authorities were:

• The court: For the enforcement of bail conditions or to comply with any other orders or decisions from the court
• The Fiji Police Force: For the conduct of investigations
• Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption: For the conduct of investigations
• Fiji Revenue Customs Service: for tax compliance and Tertiary Scholarship Loans Board for the repayment of loans
• Permanent Secretaries: For the enforcement of bond conditions.

Mr Tikoduadua said any issues or questions concerning stop-departure orders should be directed to its issuing authority.

Story by: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj