Usamate: Opposition’s Remarks On National Airline Are Unpatriotic

Remarks made by Op­position parties in Parliament during the debate on increasing Fiji Airways’ approved loan guarantee were la­belled as unpatriotic.

Minister for Infrastruc­ture, Meteorological Ser­vices, Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate made the comment in Par­liament on Friday.

He said the Opposition made speeches that were designed to put a political twist.

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Ai­yaz Sayed-Kahiyum moved that Parliament approve the increased Government guarantee to Fiji Airways borrowings by increasing:

•  Existing local approved guarantee from FJ$191.1 million to FJ$241.1 million
•  Offshore borrowings from US$117.1 million to US$142.1 million with the total guarantee ceiling in­creasing from FJ$455 mil­lion to FJ$561.4 million valid until the guaranteed facilities are discharged or fully settled.

He also moved that Fiji Airways be exempted from paying a guarantee fee.

SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula claimed that Fiji Airways did not care about the human rights of its workers when it termi­nated more than 700 with­out assurance of re-employ­ment.

Mr Nawaikula said Fiji Airways did not deserve Parliament’s assistance and help by approving the guarantee.

Mr Usamate called out the Opposition.

“Shame on you, to all of you who have looked at this airline that’s doing its best for this country, and to try and put a political twist on it,” Mr Usamate said.

“This is a time when all countries around the world are on their knees.

“Every single country in the world is on its knees, every single airline is on its knees.

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