Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he will be leading the national response to Tropical Cyclone Tino.

While speaking at the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Suva Civic Centre, Bainimarama says the disaster management authorities were on the ground in areas impacted by Tropical Cyclone Tino, to re-open access to flooded regions and restore critical services to affected Fijians.

He says his thoughts are with Fijians in the Northern and Eastern Divisions who have been affected by TC Tino.

He has urged Fijians to remain vigilant.

Bainimarama also says 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Fiji’s independence, which will prove to be the beginning of the next great era of Fiji’s history.

He says stepping into the new era begins with our efforts today and throughout next week to get affected Fijians back on their feet as we recover from TC Tino.

Bainimarama adds 12 years ago Fiji was in many ways a different country.