MINISTERS ON THE MOVE
The Government ministers, especially the new ones, have hit the road running after being appointed.
They are not waiting for the festive season to pass before they start properly in the New Year. They are wasting no time.
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Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has not lifted his foot off the pedal since day one.
BTL notices that this is more than a ministerial assignment. He has taken on this job like a personal mission to lift the standard of medical and health services in the country.
When he was working as a top surgeon he must have had his own views as a medical professional.
Now that he is minister, he will look at the service from a different perspective.
So it will be interesting to see how he uses these different perspectives to bring about the desired changes.
There’s no doubt he will be going for synergy.
The other new minister getting attention is Premila Kumar, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development. She has not lost a beat since she started, BTL hears from close associates.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa is in her own element as Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. As a lawyer, she also attended the Attorney-General’s Conference.
Then there is the hardworking Mahendra Reddy in his new role as Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment.
On Friday he was in Vanua Levu and yesterday he was back in Viti Levu at Savalau Settlement in Nadi, opening a bore hole.
BTL understands that he wants to make rural and maritime areas attractive for young people. This will stop the urban drift. Some villages have suffered because the young people have moved to towns to seek education and look for jobs.
Parveen Bala, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, has already started talks with ILO on pay reviews.
The ministers are definitely on
