'Stop the Lies': Agriculture Minister tells Maritime Government Officials
“If you know it is not within your reach to answer a query, tell them very frankly that you are going to seek higher authority.”
Monday 21 August 2023 | 12:28
Villagers of Makadru Village in Matuku, Lau during a talanoa session with the Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu. Photo: Josefa Babitu
Government officials serving in maritime communities must not lie about ongoing projects and giving false hopes to people, said Vatimi Rayalu.
The Agriculture Minister issued a warning as the residents of Lau Province have become weary of empty pledges.
Mr Rayalu was dissapointed with civil servants not fulfilling their promises.
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“Stop the lies,” he said.
Mr Rayalu, who comes from Vanuavatu, Totoya, said he would not mince his words when it came to his people.
“Don’t lie to people when you go and meet them,” he said.
“If you know it is not within your reach to answer a query, tell them very frankly that you are going to seek higher authority.”
He said servicing the maritime islands like the Lau Group was not an easy exercise and that there would be no government without its people.
It is a very costly exercise, said Mr Rayalu.
“The maritime region has been neglected,” he said.
“When I come to Totoya, it feels like someone has cut off my limbs because I cannot communicate with anyone.”
Mr Rayalu is on a 10-day visit to the Lau Group.
Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj
