‘Government promised a journey but took Fiji on a merry-go-round’

The Government promised to take Fiji on a journey toward a better future, but instead the country has been taken in circles, Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya told Parliament.

Responding to the President’s address in parliament today, Mr Koya said many Fijians were questioning whether the country had made real progress over the past three years.

Using an analogy, he said Fiji was like a car filled with passengers — the people of Fiji — who were promised a better destination when the coalition government came to power.

“In 2022, the coalition government stood before those passengers and said: ‘Get into the car with us. We will drive you to a better Fiji. A more prosperous Fiji. A fairer Fiji. A transparent Fiji.’”

“That was the promise.”

Mr Koya said three years later many Fijians were beginning to question whether the country was moving forward.

“Three years later the passengers are looking out the windows and asking a very serious question: Are we even moving?”

He said instead of progress, people were seeing confusion and repeated controversies within government.

“Because what the passengers are seeing is not progress. What they are seeing is the car driving in circles. The same scenery. The same arguments. The same confusion.”

“Round and round.”

Mr Koya said the government had promised progress but had instead delivered instability.

“The passengers were promised a journey. Instead they have been taken on a merry-go-round.”

He said the last three years of government had been dominated by controversies rather than governance.

“Appointments. Terminations. Investigations. Inquiries. Settlements.”

“One week someone is appointed. The next week someone is suspended. The following week someone is removed.”

Mr Koya said the situation had raised questions among the public.

“This is not governance. This is chaos.”

He said many families across Fiji were also struggling with the rising cost of living.

“The cost of living continues to rise. Food prices remain high. Transportation costs are increasing.”

Mr Koya said many households were finding it harder each month to make ends meet while skilled workers continued to leave the country.

He said leadership must provide direction and certainty for the country.

“The people of Fiji boarded the car expecting a journey.”

“After three years, they are still waiting.”