Poor governance behind Fiji’s poverty and infrastructure woes: Chaudhry

Former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry says Fiji’s persistent poverty, deteriorating infrastructure and struggling public services are the result of decades of poor governance, despite successive governments producing development plans.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Dialogue Fiji State of the Economy forum at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday, Mr Chaudhry questioned the effectiveness of national development strategies, saying their outcomes had failed to match their promises.

“We've had development plans and if all these development plans had succeeded, we would have been in utopia by now,” Mr Chaudhry said.

“So plan is one thing, but have they achieved their intended purpose? No.”

Mr Chaudhry pointed to rising poverty levels, deteriorating roads, water supply issues and shortcomings in the health sector as evidence that long-standing problems remained unresolved.

“Why has poverty increased? Why do we have crumbling infrastructure in the country? Why are our roads in this condition? Why are we having constant water supply problems? Why are our medical facilities not improving?

“These are problems which have been there for 20-25 years, really.

“We're still struggling with that. So having a plan is one thing, whether it's working or not working is another.”

Mr Chaudhry said the failure of development plans stemmed from weak leadership and ineffective governments.

“And I think we all know that these plans haven't worked, because we haven't had good governments in this country.

“That's the long and short of it. So one should not place too much reliance on these plans. I think we need to be a working government, good governance.”

He said Fiji needed leaders who were genuinely committed to serving the nation rather than pursuing personal interests.

“We are sincere about serving the people and serving the nation, and that's what's lacking in this country. That's what's lacking.

“There's too much talk.

“There are a lot of insincere people saying one thing, doing another. There is no honesty in governance. That is the truth about it.”

Mr Chaudhry said meaningful progress would require a new generation of leaders focused on national development.

“I think we've got to get rid of these people in leadership, bring in a new lot of people who are genuine and committed to Fiji and who love their country.

“Only then we will get somewhere.”