Rabuka cancels Rabi festivities visit due to bad weather

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has cancelled his planned visit to Rabi Island for today's 80th anniversary celebrations due to bad weather conditions affecting Fiji.

The Banaban community is celebrating 80 years since their ancestors’ historic arrival on Rabi Island today, with hundreds gathering from Fiji and overseas to commemorate December 15, 1945.

Director of Information Samisoni Pareti confirmed that the Prime Minister's travels to Rabi and Labasa have been called off following the heavy rain alert issued by the National Disaster Risk Management Office.

A heavy rain alert remains in force for the entire Fiji group, with flash flooding risks across low-lying areas.

Mr Rabuka was scheduled to be the chief guest at the historic celebrations marking eight decades since the Banaban community's arrival on December 15, 1945.

Rabi Island Council of Leaders Administrator Iakoba Karutake had earlier said weather conditions were being monitored.

"The Prime Minister is coming to be our chief guest. But they are monitoring the weather," Mr Karutake said.

Nauru President David Adeang has also expressed interest in attending the celebrations and will be treated as an important guest if he makes the journey.

"The President of Nauru is also part Banaban, so probably that's the reason why he wants to come and join us," Mr Karutake said.

The connection between Nauru and Banaba is rooted in their shared tragic history of phosphate mining.

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