Coup culture killing Fiji, says NFP president

 

Adi Tupou Draunidalo, the first iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) president of the National Federation Party, said coups and its effects were keeping Fiji in the Third World despite the resources the country had.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have all lived under and experienced life under a military government, on and off since 1987,” Adi Tupou told delegates at NFP’s recent annual meeting.

As NFP president, Adi Tupou follows in the tradition of some of the great Indian leaders who helped shape modern Fiji – namely: AD Patel, Siddiq Koya, Irene Jai Narayan, Ram Sami Gounder, Jai Ram Reddy, Harish Sharma, Dr Balwant Singh Rakka, Jagindra Singh, Shiu Charan, Dorsami Naidu, and Raman Pratap Singh.

 

Adi Tupou herself is no stranger to Fiji politics and comes from a family closely associated with the country’s leadership. Her father is former Colonel Savenaca Draunidalo, minister in the SDL government, and mother is Adi Kuini Vuikaba, former deputy Prime Minister and Labour stalwart.

 

“We all know that these unelected and dictatorial governments – answerable to no one but their armouries – restrict our basic freedoms - of speech, association and religion; they discourage local and foreign investment; and they weaken and destroy important institutions of state,” Adi Tupou said.

 

“The combination of those factors is the reason why Fiji is restrained from reaching its social and economic potential. 

 

“The coup culture holds us back from progress and development. It keeps us in the third world in spite of all of our resources,” Adi Tupou said.

 

“And it holds us back from better schools and hospitals. It holds us back from more employment creation and better wages. It holds us back from leaving a stable, secure and prosperous Fiji to our future generations. 

 

“Look into the eyes of any child in Fiji today and ask yourself – am I doing enough to ensure that this child will grow up in a Fiji that is stable, secure and prosperous? A Fiji that has no more coups to deter investment? A Fiji that devotes its national budget to better schools, hospitals and other public services and utilities over military spending?”

 

First iTaukei president she maybe Adi Tupou is not the first Fijian to be involved with the 50-year-old NFP. NFP had broad representation in parliament of members of both houses of Parliament from the indigenous community. They include Apisai Tora, Isikeli Nadalo, Atunaisa Maitoga, Ratu Glaniville Lalabalavu, Ratu Mosese Tuisawau, Ro Asela Logavatu, Timoci Naco, Sakeo Tuiwainikai, Ratu Jullian Toganivalu, Koresi Matatolu, Ratu Osea Gavidi, Ratu Napolioni Dawai II, Ratu Soso Katonivere, Filimone Nalatu and Temo Sukanaivalu. 

 

“Those names ladies and gentlemen assure appropriate respect for and primacy of indigenous rights – one that would be jealously guarded and defended when required,” Adi Tupou told delegates.

 

She commended NFP’s policy of working to protect indigenous rights.

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the indigenous people of this land – we own our natural resources communally and we do very many things communally. 

 

“I am proud to say that this party has a very good record of appreciating this and working to ensure that these group rights are protected and that any reforms would be matters for self  determination by we, the indigenous community. 

 

“This philosophy is clearly set out in the 1997 Constitution which the National Federation Party worked hard to shepherd through the Great Council of Chiefs and Parliament. Chapter 13, sections 185 and 186 of the 1997 Constitution enshrine and entrench indigenous rights.

 

“Just as importantly, the entrenchment provisions of section 185 ensures self determination by the indigenous community in that all legislation dealing with our natural resources and other communal matters can only be amended with the ultimate consent of our elected representatives in the House of Representatives and Senate and traditional chiefs through the GCC nominees in the Senate,” Adi Tupou said.

 

“As an indigenous person, I commend the NFP and its leaders and parliamentarians for those provisions in the 1997 Constitution.”

 

Adi Tupou cited the humble beginnings of some of the past leaders who contributed to nation building.

 

“Many high achieving professionals who have led this party had very humble beginnings and so their own personal stories of beating the odds to rise to national leadership should give our citizens hope for a better future. 

 

“I have it on very good authority that our former leader, Mr. Siddiq Moidin Koya (the son of a cane farmer) left school at class 6 at Ba Mission School. He never enrolled at a secondary school but he worked hard as a law clerk and cut cane himself to save enough funds to see him through law studies overseas and the rest, as they say, is history. 

 

“If that story does not motivate you, nothing will,” she said.

 

“I wish to round up my inaugural speech by saying that the maturity of this party and its leaders, members and supporters was very attractive to me. 

 

“At 50, the NFP shows its class – a fine history of service through dialogue and partnership with other political parties (ALTO, ALTA, 1970 Constitution, FNPF, Housing Authority, 1997 Constitution) and selflessness (both the party and its members). 

 

“I like that style very much. “Dialogue and understanding are sure ways to win allies and in a polarised state like ours – those qualities are rare jewels.”