Outgoing AG Did Not Expect Cabinet Reshuffle
Turaga in the dark over change in ministerial portfolios.
Monday 16 October 2023 | 17:02
(L-R) Outgoing Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo and Outgoing Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.
Outgoing Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said he was not expecting any Cabinet reshuffle, claiming there was no prior communication to him about it.
He made the comment when queried about Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent Cabinet reshuffle announcement on Friday night.
The Fiji Sun understands that the ministers whose portfolios had been reshuffled did not receive any notification prior to the announcement on Friday night.
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Cabinet was also in the dark about the reshuffle, sources close to Government revealed.
Mr Turaga will now assume the post of Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources while Mr Filimoni Vosarogo has been earmarked for the Attorney-General’s post.
He is expected to begin in his new role tomorrow.
When queried about the debacle surrounding Mr Vosarogo’s appointment, labelled as a breach of the 2013 constitution, Mr Turaga referred the question to the Prime Minister as he was the person that made the decision.
“We shall just wait and see on how things play out,” Mr Turaga said.
“We respect the prerogative of the PM, but I think the reshuffle could have been effectively and efficiently communicated,” he said.
“This will be another challenge, but it’s about getting the work done in whatever portfolio we have been assigned to.”
Mr Turaga said he was committed to the course.
“At the end of the day it’s getting the work done. I have a clear vision of what to do in my new ministry and that is my focus now, getting
the work done.”
He said he was looking forward to the challenge in the land’s ministry.
In other reshuffles, Ifereimi Vasu, will become the Minister for Education while Aseri Radrodro will be reassigned to the ministerial portfolio of Minister for iTaukei Affairs.
Mr Vasu chose not to make any comment yesterday about the reshuffle.
They are expected to begin in their new roles tomorrow.
The PM is on an official tour in Australia could not be reached for a comment when this edition went to press. Mr Vosarogo has confirmed that the Office of the Prime Minister was likely to issue a statement today on the debacle surrounding the recent Cabinet reshuffle.
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