Every ratepayer and citizen of the country should be treated equally - AG

The Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has told the newly appointed Special Administrators that every ratepayer and citizen of the country should be treated equally.

Speaking at the reception of the Special Administrators at Holiday Inn, Sayed-Khaiyum says this means that every citizen and ratepayer should not be discriminated against based on ethnicity, religion, what province they are from and what affiliation they have with that particular person.

The Minister says that has been the bane of governance in Fiji before independence and Post-Independence.

He says that the government is trying to change this but admits that these things are still happening at the Local Government level.

The Minister says some Municipal Councils give building approvals in six months while others give it in one week in the same Municipality just because someone has been paid off and if this happens under the Special Administrators watch, then it is their responsibility.

He told the Administrators that corruption must be eradicated that it is even more important that they are not benefitting from this kind of activity.

Sayed-Khaiyum says if they can ensure that they adhere to the fundamental provision of the constitution with respect to no discrimination then that will be your strength and a potential game-changer to Municipal Governance in the country.