Reshuffle aimed at better performance, says PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabu­ka says the Cabinet reshuf­fle was not meant to punish ministers, but to improve Govern­ment performance as the Coalition enters its final year in office.

PM Rabuka yesterday said the reshuffle was a necessary re­set to ensure that Government delivered results during what he described as a critical final stretch before the next general election.

“I just want us to perform really well and understand what’s hap­pening and what’s going to hap­pen in this last lap of one year before us,” PM Rabuka said.

“Government faces sig­nificant tasks in the months ahead, including possible con­sti­tu­tional amendments, changes to electoral laws, and the completion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work.”

He acknowledged Government output in some areas had not met his expectations. However, he made it clear that the issue was not with the ministries or civil servants, but with how responsibilities were as­signed.

“It was not the fault of the min­istries and those in the ministries. It was the fault, perhaps, of the al­location of the portfolios.”

He said the reshuffle was designed to realign roles and improve coordi­nation across Government.

One major change includes the consolidation of all agricultural functions under the Ministry of Agriculture, with no separate min­istry for the sugar industry.

“We have clearly defined perfor­mance indicators which will have to be monitored by the ministers and executed by the civil service,” he said.

Mr Rabuka said misinformation forced Government to respond sooner than planned. He also ac­knowledged the political pressures faced by the Coalition Government.

“We expected headwinds. We ex­pected partisan interest to come, but I had to make sure that partisan interests do not interfere with na­tional interests.”