October 9, 2021
Better days lie ahead if we achieve genuine national unity and shared vision, said National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad.
Professor Prasad said as Fiji celebrates its 51st anniversary of Independence, we should reflect and think about our country, where it has been, and where it is going.
“For many of us right now, things are bleak. Covid-19 has devastated our lives. Hundreds of loved family members have died. Many more have been left permanently harmed by this disease”.
“Tens of thousands have lost jobs and livelihood and are living with the help of family, friends, and the many concerned and kind-hearted people in our community who have stepped up to help”.
“And we are led by a Government that cares more about its own bruised egos than the people. They are changing laws on taxation, iTaukei land, and voter registration. They are firing senior civil servants whose views they do not like. At a time when the people need reassurance, vision, and wisdom, all we can see is mean-spiritedness and pettiness”.
“And yet all around us we still see signs of strength and hope. Our health front-liners stayed at their posts and fought back against Covid-19 when our leaders disappeared from view. All around Fiji, civil society groups and concerned humanitarians collected money, found those in need, and stepped up to give people food and medicines they could no longer afford.”
“We know of dedicated teachers who have gone the extra mile to keep their young students’ minds engaged and active and business owners who dug into their own pockets to keep their workers employed even when no money was coming in”.
“All around us, we see the power of people working together. And this is how Fiji should be. Because we can be better with national unity, a shared vision which we all create and a sense of purpose to get it done”.
“We want to help to deliver a government that works with and builds up our community leaders, not one which orders them around and tries to tear them down”.
“We imagine a government that acts with humility and which recognises the thousands of citizens who, every day, in ways large and small, put others first and work to make Fiji better”.
“We can have better education for our children, better health for our loved ones, and better-paying jobs. We can live without fear of our government and enjoy our God-given freedoms without restrictions. If we can work together under good leadership, there is no limit to the things we can do”.
“So, we say to our fellow citizens – these are difficult days, but we believe better days are ahead. We believe that in the next year or so, we will have a new government, a new sense of purpose, a new vision, and a time for renewal”.
“We ask our fellow citizens to remember that soon, for one day only, the power will return to them. That is when they have a democratic right, and a national duty, to make things better – with their votes”.
“This is the time to recall the giant strides made by our country’s founding fathers like NFP founder leader A D Patel who led the struggle for Independence and a fair Constitution, and his successor S M Koya, who together with the then Chief Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara achieved consensus paving the way for Independence”.
“We must hold true to the spirit of unity and understanding of our Independence because freedom, hope, and glory are still ours if we grasp it”.
“Fiji can and will be better. We can do it. There is hope for the future”.
“Happy Fiji Day to all”.