Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau has stressed in parliament that we must not undermine the Fijian economy just for political gain.
While responding to the President, Jioji Konrote’s opening speech in parliament, Koroilavesau says that there have been rigorous debates over the years in parliament about the economy and how it should be run.
Koroilavesau adds that ultimately these arguments have been decided by the strength of our economy today.
Koroilavesau also highlighted that now that campaigning and elections is done, parliament must come together to govern for the benefit of all our people.
He adds that there will be disagreements but parliament can manage those disagreements with civility and respect.
Koroilavesau also responded to claims by SODELPA MP Anare Jale who spoke about the poor and inconsistent transportation provided to people in the remote maritime islands.
The Fisheries Minister stressed that transportation and shipping to rural and remote maritime islands has never been better because of the franchise shipping system.
Koroilavesau adds that there is almost 300% improvement from the previous year adding that to improve the standard of living in these areas, the Ministry of Fisheries has begun programs to allow harvest, storage and sale of marine species to boost their economic activities.
He has also revealed that the Ministry of Fisheries has also begun trials on solar powered freezers to address the issue of fish storage that will be rolled out in the coming months to allow communities to store their catch prior to market sales.
