Bia questions the government why there is no holiday for Melanesians

Opposition MP Aliki Bia has questioned the government why there is no allocated day to commemorate the arrival of the Melanesians to our shores in the late 1800s.

Bia quoted the President's speech about the two new public holidays to commemorate the arrival of the Girmityas in 1879 and Ratu Sukuna Day.

He adds Fiji is a multi-ethnic nation and the introducing of multi-ethnic policies and ideas will end the separation of people.

Bia states there are close to 30 settlements of Solomoni and Vanuatu around Fiji, none of these communities has secured their land ownership of where they lived, and many of their generations called Fiji a home.

He says all parliamentarians need to engage themselves with positive talanoa of ideas that will move the nation forward and bring prosperity to the nation.

Bia says he will ensure that everything promised to the people of Fiji must be delivered with equality.

He thanked the previous government for calling everyone Fijian.