Page 15 - IB Jan 2018

Desperation Families sell off kava Lost land Double blow for Ambae
Politics as they take flight P19 landowners P19

Former banker aims to unite Fiji

bank of Fiji governor, Narube said Fiji’s
budget and borrowing position has to
be sustainable.
“We will be fair in all that we do,
fairness in the use and ownership of re-
by Nanise Volau sources. We want to generate more cash
income for landowners and resource
ONE of Fiji’s newest political parties has owners and we need to look into the
not ruled out contesting Fiji’s general returns in the use of their land.
elections due to be held in 2018 in coali- “We have to be fair to the tenants,
tion with other parties that are opposed where there should be certainty in the
to the ruling Fiji First Party of Prime duration of their lease. With credible
Minister Frank Bainimarama. leadership and an experienced team, I
Unity Fiji is led by a former governor assure you that Unity Fiji will address
of Fiji’s reserve bank now economic these issues in an integrated, objective
consultant with international financial he said. “Our line up of candidates will and professional manner taking into
institutions, Savenaca Narube. be announced at the right time. People account all sides of the issues.
Speaking exclusively to this maga- will know the names of people that sup- “What Unity Fiji will not do is to play
zine, Narube confirmed his party has ports us before they vote,” he added. politics with the issues that are impor-
been participating in talks with other As one of Fiji’s newest political parties, tant to you and your family which has
parties, discussing many issues includ- Narube said he was encouraged by the been a major barrier to finding lasting
ing fielding common candidates. “But level of support they have been receiving solutions in the past and building unity,”
we are not in complete control of these across the country’s ethnic divide. he concluded.
discussions,” the former central bank He believes his party would receive
governor added. votes that would exceed the five per cent Who is Savenaca Narube
If contesting the 2018 elections as a voter threshold mark to land them seats
grand coalition could not be achieved, in the 2018 Parliament. Narube is a former governor of the
Narube said his party would be happy He said Unity Fiji presented a credible Reserve Bank of Fiji and permanent
to consider revisiting the matter post alternative government that people were secretary of the Ministry of Finance.
elections. looking for by the record of accomplish- He has also worked at the World Bank
The senior economist also spoke about ment of its party leaders. and the International Monetary Fund in
the reasons he could not join existing “We must listen and consult the peo- Washington DC.
parties currently forming the opposition ple, to be accountable in order to lead,” He holds a Bachelor of Commerce
in Fiji’s parliament, that of SODELPA Narube explained. “We will deliver what degree from Canterbury University (NZ)
and the National Federation Party. His we say we will deliver; we will deliver and a Master of Commerce with Honours
Unity Fiji Party believes in multiracial- because we have a team that has the from the University of New South Wales
ism, and that his preference was that the experience the skills, and the passion (Australia).
political party should not be dominated to deliver. He has served in many boards in Fiji
by one particular ethnic group. “When you put people first, develop- including the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the
“We must rise above divisive politics,” ment and prosperity will follow,” Narube Fiji National Provident Fund, Fiji Inter-
Narube told Islands Business. “Unity Fiji said. national Telecommunications Limited
is a multiracial party, and if we want to The former central bank governor (FINTEL), Fiji School of Medicine, Fiji
bring all communities together, we must who also served as finance permanent Revenue and Customs Authority, Fiji
first and foremost, be multiracial and secretary said they were working on the Reinsurance Corporation of Fiji and the
inclusive at the political level. party manifesto that would promise to Rakavi Trust.
“I believe that the future of Fiji’s poli- deliver on ‘bread and butter issues that Narube was also a director of the Fiji
tics is in multiracialism. This is one of Fiji’s voters have been crying for.’ Sugar Corporation, Amalgamated Tele-
the important changes that we will bring “We have the right people that can com Holdings, Telecom Fiji Ltd and Fiji
to the people.” manage our economy, our financial Electricity Authority.
Although he is Unity Fiji Party founder position because that’s our strength. He was the alternate governor for Fiji
and leader, Narube said he is not the sole We will give more jobs, generate more at both the IMF and the Asian Develop-
financier of the party. Founding party investment, grow the economy on a ment Bank.
members are contributing to the party sustainable basis and whatever we He is originally from Cuvu Village
funds as well. He declined however to decide to do now we will not reverse in in Nadroga and his mother was from
name any other party member although the future with associate costs to our Naikeleyaga Village on Kabara Island in
the party’s presidency is held by former younger generations.” Lau Province.
politician, Adi Sivia Qoro. Falling back on his experience as fi- r nvolau@gmail.com
Party support comes in various forms, nance permanent secretary and reserve

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