Govt accused of removing iTaukei from top positions while AG says Nawaikula is inciting racial vilification with no proof

The government has been accused in parliament by SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula of using the Open Merit Recruitment System to remove iTaukei people from top positions but Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Nawaikula is inciting parliament with racial vilification with absolutely no proof.

While speaking on the debate on the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Annual Review of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Report, Nawaikula claimed that it is the worst time in history to be a civil servant employee in Fiji because of 3 year contracts and the Open Merit Recruitment System.


Sayed-Khaiyum then stood up for a point of order saying Nawaikula was misleading parliament with false information which Nawaikula cannot prove.


The Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau did not act on the point of order by Sayed-Khaiyum for Nawaikula to withdraw his statement.

There was then further fiery exchanges between Naiwakula and members of the government as he claimed that the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Doctor Mahendra Reddy is the most racist of them all.

Nawaikula claimed that there is no one above the level of Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways, and Environment that is a native.


Responding to Fijivillage outside parliament, Reddy says Nawaikula had no problem when all the Directors were iTaukei but now when appointments are taking place, he is making a remark that no Directors are iTaukei.

He says Nawaikula is a racist person for making such remarks.

Reddy says only three Directors have been appointed so far with two remaining.

He is questioning why Nawaikula is referring to these appointments along ethnic lines when they are appointing the most meritorious candidate who could deliver to the expectation of the government with efficiency.


Reddy also says Ministers do not make appointments and there is a process where the Permanent Secretary advertises the position and there are different teams which handle various levels.