PM Yet to Decide on Tabuya's Ministerial Role

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka responded cautiously when asked yesterday about the reinstatement of Government backbencher Lynda Tabuya to a ministerial position.

“Still thinking about it,” Mr Rabuka said, offering no immediate decision on the matter.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had hinted the possibility of reappointing Ms Tabuya as Minister for Information.

However, last week, while in Vanua Levu, he made it clear that he would not be assigning her any ministerial role.

“It’s still being thought of,” Mr Rabuka reiterated.

“There has not been any development in her case.”

He acknowledged that some people have raised concerns about Government’s public relations machinery not functioning effectively.

“There have been people complaining about our public relations system, they are blaming the public relations machinery of Government not functioning well,” he said.

While Mr Rabuka had earlier considered Ms Tabuya for the Information Ministry, he noted that there was an experienced individual currently serving in that capacity. Aliki Bia, a former journalist and FijiFirst party member is the Assistant Minister for Information.

“Some mentioned that it may perhaps, she be brought in because she does well in that area. There is an experienced person in that field in that office now as my assistant Minister, a former media personnel. He is also gifted to be assistant minister in another area, so I have to look at that,” he explained.

Mr Rabuka emphasised that individuals who have adhered to the law and met the expectations of the public should be rewarded for their efforts.

“Those who have managed to keep their nose clean and worked according to the law to the expectations of the people must be rewarded,” he said.

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