Fiji Interim Ministers line-up

from Fijilive in the past hour;
Bune, Nailatikau interim ministers
Monday January 08, 2007


Former environment minister Poseci Bune and former Speaker of Fiji’s Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau have been appointed interim ministers. Bune was sworn in as interim Minister for Public Service and Public Service Reforms by the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo at Government House this morning. Ratu Epeli is the new interim Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Two unsuccessful National Alliance Party candidates in the 2006 elections, Manu Korovulavula and Netani Sukanaivalu were also appointed interim ministers. Korovulavula, a former senator, is the new interim Minister for Transport.

Sukanaivalu, who is a former navy officer and businessman, is the interim Minister for Education. Dr Jona Senilagakali is the new interim Minister for Health while Fiji Chamber of Commerce President Taito Waradi is the interim Minister for Commerce.

The interim Minister for Justice and Attorney General is Suva lawyer Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Former senator Laufitu Malani has been appointed interim Minister for Women and Social Welfare.

A few more interim ministers including the crucial post of Finance Minister will be sworn in tomorrow.
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Some comments:
from W
Despite my difficulty in coming to terms with yet another coup in Fiji and the military's methods of intimidation of people and judgmental attitudes, at least the line-up for the the first swearing-in of ministers in the interim government seems to be satisfactory. The men and one woman all have good track records and experience. It would be nice to have younger guys like those two who were in Health who were energetic enough to get up at 6 a.m. to start work. Most of the new line-up are older, mostly QVS schooled, and linked with the Natonal Alliance Party. I'd like to see a couple from the Western side of Viti Levu. We'll see whose faces are in the line-up for the rest of the portfolios tomorrow. Maybe Berenado, Paula, and even Mahend - though how he could stand not being a dissenter, only Heaven knows!