Minister for Women Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa says rising above divisive rhetoric and political stunts, Fiji Day is about our independence as a nation, and our togetherness as a people and where no one is a visitor.

Speaking at Fiji Day celebrations in Subrail Park in Labasa, Vuniwaqa says building a great nation takes a lot of sacrifices and tremendous efforts from individuals, communities, leaders and the nation as a whole.

She adds that Fiji has faced great challenges and at times, upheavals in its short independent history.

She adds Fijians cannot go without remembering today the great leaders at various levels, elders who toiled in various sectors, the countless advocates of social issues and human rights, the professionals, the carers and each and every Fijian who made heroic sacrifices for fellow Fijians, especially during disasters and unrest of any form.

Vuniwaqa says Fijians have witnessed remarkable achievements over the years such as digital government transformation which has put government services at the fingertips of Fijians in every corner of the country, eTransport, BDM services, payments via phone, Walesi free-to-air television, ePassports, BizFiji, with more exciting things in the pipeline.

She says infrastructure is far more reaching than ever with four-lane roads and new bridges, streetlights, schools built back to a heightened climate-resilient standard.

The Minister says tax incentives, paired with a thriving business climate, has resulted in new developments and investments all around Fiji.

Vuniwaqa says today is about is more than building infrastructure, it’s about nation-building and by working together, we are building a Fiji with a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.