Question: How many ministers does it take to give birth to a Counter Narcotics Strategy? In the case of the Coalition, three – Biman Prasad to announce it, Pio Tikoduadua to say it will need millions to be adequately funded and Siromi Turaga to say he hopes it will be adequately funded. Don’t take my word for it. Read the media coverage for yourself – the “three-legged stool” needing three ministers to prop up one derrière of a policy, as if by having just one, the initiative would fall on its arse.
Question: If the government can’t co-ordinate the launch of a major policy to tackle the national drugs crisis by deciding who is the relevant minister and whose authority needs to be stamped on it, how can we seriously expect the “Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028” to work? 2023? So it’s already a year old and we are only just finding out about it?
The formal launch yesterday was bizarre. Why was the Finance Minister announcing a national drug initiative? Yes, he has to come up with the money but aside from that, what else does he have to do? Why was the newly-demoted Justice Minister there? He played a minor role in the coverage of the event yesterday on CFL-Fiji Village and no role at all on FBC. But there he is today on the front page of the Fiji Times. Is the Fiji Times now running a campaign to bring Siromi back in from the cold? Because why else would the paper have given him top billing? Or does he sell more papers than Biman?
And where was the most important minister of all? Nowhere to be seen at the formal launch. Yet it is Pio Tikoduadua who will spearhead any counter-narcotics campaign as Minister for Home Affairs in charge of the police and the military. Pio’s sole appearance is in today’s Fiji Sun. It’s almost as if he was sidelined yesterday so that Biman Prasad could have the limelight for the NFP. And that Siromi Turaga could be wheeled in for the People’s Alliance so that it wasn’t an all NFP event. Or was it a case of “there, there, Siromi, don’t be so upset about being replaced as AG. See, you’re on the front page of the Fiji Times!”. Because we already know the Grinning Assassin is extremely antsy about his demotion.
It is all so confusing and unnecessary. You can’t run any big program without clear lines of authority. It doesn’t take three electricians to change a light bulb. So in the absence of the Prime Minister (where was he?), why did it take two Coalition Ministers who aren’t obviously relevant to launch a Counter Narcotics Strategy and for the third who IS relevant not to be present? I know. There is no logical answer. But maybe that’s why the Coalition has become so adept at announcing initiatives without being able to follow through. As in “too many cooks spoil the broth”. Or something.
As Grubsheet waded through the blah, blah blah looking for a hopeful sign that the Counter Narcotics Strategy might be able to make a practical difference against the odds, there was really only one. It was the sight of an Australian Federal Police officer sitting with the local coppers at the launch. (EDS NOTE. One of my readers says it’s a Kiwi. Can anyone confirm?)
If he is one of the Aussies who are now starting to be embedded in the Fiji Police, maybe we can finally get some action to put the drugs lords out of business and start weening Fijian young people off the weed and the meth. Because it sure ain’t gonna happen with a clutch of politicians stomping all over the place and trying to grab the media limelight.
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This guy didn’t even launch the policy, has been demoted from Attorney General to Justice Minister yet gets to hog the limelight on the front page of today’s Fiji Times.
This guy launched the policy but why? He just has to find the money for it.
And this guy has to preside over the policy but wasn’t even at the launch.
A face of hope in the crowd. The Australian Federal Police has evidently begun its “mentoring” and advisory role embedded in the Fiji Police.
Launching a year-old policy and propping up a lame duck.
And where was the Minister for Bonking and Weed? Isn’t she part of a Counter Narcotics Strategy for the nation’s kids? Oh, that’s the Pro-Narcotics Strategy. Sorry. Wrong event.
Fijians have all the solutions says
This is an example of the “co-ordinated, consultative and professional” approach by this government and its policies. These are all “highly qualified local people” who know how to combat the drug problem head on. Locals have all the solutions as we are told by the Minister for Justice. Maybe they should consult the GCC as well. And why isn’t DPM and Minister for Tourism invloved in this? He is the most skilled and the most successful minister in my opinion after what he has achieved for Fiji Airways and the tourism sector – even though he wanted Fiji Airways shut down only a few years ago. He is clearly the most talented of them all. After they fix the problem in Fiji, they should sell their “drug problem solving services” to countries in North, Central and South America because these countries have not been able to solve their drug problems for decades. Fijian politicians will lead the way in this world wide problem. Isn’t that just wonderful! I recall there were some people who solved the COVID problem, remember?
Maybe praying and fasting is the secret solution.
When is the next pilgrimage to the Feast of the Terbanacles? It must be fast approaching.
Peter says
So the drug problem in Fiji also comprises of a three legged stool as opposed to the three legged FOOLs you described from the governing body also called the coalition government. The Chinese, the Mexicans and the “INDIGENOUS CRIMINAL NETWORK” as stated in the 60 minutes program are the key groups of drug peddlers and suppliers. Collectively the latter group has more money than the reserve bank does . Let’s hope the 3 legged fools don’t lose their government tomorrow during the budget voting . Something tells me that tonight is the last night for this government. Tomorrow it’ll be back to opposition benches.
Billy says
What exactly do you need to be smoking to give tax holidays to billionaires?
And if you keep smoking it does the price of lamb chop come down?
Sad Observer Scared for Fiji says
I’m guessing it’s the “nothing to see here, we’re all united” desperate PR strategy. The greater the spin and PR, the more there is to hide.
Where was the Minister for Bonking and Weed? says
That last paragraph made me laugh out loud! It’s heartening to see that covid hasn’t hindered your sense of humour GD!!! Hopefully you are on the mend.
Crystal Ball gazer says
Maybe, to use the late Ropate Qalo’s quip, “the small boy in big trousers,” needs to feel he’s wearing bigger trousers? I mean isn’t it numbers stacking time with the impending Government of National Unity? The small boy’s boss wouldn’t want him forming a coalition with former son-in-law and the infamous 17?
Vili Wadali says
Just wanna point out that the palagi (‘vulagi’) police officer in the picture is NOT Australian. He is a Kiwi. There is subtle difference.
Graham Davis says
That’s the problem with white people. They all look the same.
Vili Wadali says
Thats what my grandfather used to say about the Chinese ! Lol
Oz says
How ridiculously stupid is this 3 legged coalition getting. Who are their advisers? Are they getting paid peanuts? Coz surely what’s being displayed by the ministers is purely monkey play. Sobo, sobo, Isa o Viti.
A.Chand says
Trying to stay relevant and a useful diversion strategy!
Given the heat generated by the MPs disgraceful decision to increase their perks and the not so subtle concurrence by Rabuka that the money will be found (it’s only $8m, WB loans?) the Coalition is struggling to connect to the people. Hence any feeble attempt to show they are doing something, vaguely useful.
Rabuka continues to make a fool of himself and Fiji through his uninformed remarks. His flipflopping on the Fukushima issue for example, the latest designed to appease the Japanese on the eve of a Pacific Leaders’ meeting being hosted by Japan. His peace crusade and lament to save the blue Pacific is all hollow high-sounding phrases.
The Education review has received little coverage. But it seems Biman Prasad’s hand-picked cronies, mostly based abroad and supported by the useless opportunists like Rohit Kishore are due to start proceedings soon. Or is there a friction on the scope and composition of such a committee between Biman and Radrodro?
Perhaps the UNDP is trying to redeem itself by supporting a long touted Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
Meanwhile the exodus of skills continues unabated and will only increase after the allocation from the PEV lottery….
The sinking Coalition will clutch at any straws.
Where is Linda? says
Statement of the Week (before tomorrow’s Budget of course) from today’s news:
Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association President, Narayan Reddy says of young girls involved in drugs and prostitution in the Sugar City, ” …. some of them have mental health issues because of drugs and the Government, especially the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection must look into this because there are more women on the streets of Lautoka compared to men.”
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Lautoka-residents-call-for-united-effort-to-tackle-escalating-drug-problem-and-homelessness-x4rf85/
Brassed off says
I have seen the Fiji police Brass Band parading along the main stretch of Suva, I don’t know where the procession started but it was along Victoria parade near ANZ bank and from there towards the Grand Pacific Hotel. This was during midweek and around midday a couple of weeks ago..and yes there was one NZ police officer accompanying them but on the footpath. He had the dark navy uniform of the likes of the dog handlers.
Is this a regular occurrence?
Is this one of the Police strategies to combat crime and the drugs pandemic !!
Like matching around the walls of Jericho blowing the trumpets.
Gone with the wind says
They have done nothing for the homeless youth but basically handed them to NGOs who don’t even have child safety policies in place. Sashi and Tabuya are missing in action on youth homelessness and drugs.
It was all a loud story, photo opportunity, media releases. Now nothing.
Making Fiji Great Again says
Anything to grab a headline by these incompetent cabinet ministers. Would the private sector employ any of the three? Maybe as a lobbyist but then Biman and Siromi do not have any influence with the PM and what’s more everyone knows they have zero credibility with the powers to be.
What a sad state of affairs.