The Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua says that if the previous administration wants to be credited for the good and sweet fruits of the seeds they sowed, they must also accept responsibility for the bad and rotten fruits as well.
Speaking in Parliament, Tikoduadua said there are fruits from seeds the previous government planted that Fiji is contending with today, namely drugs, police brutality, unprofessionalism, and inefficient administrative processes are all that he has to deal with now.
Tikoduadua said this will all change under his leadership.
He said the challenges faced today from transnational crime and drug trafficking to the threats posed by climate change and natural disasters, demands a police force that is not only robust but also adaptable and equipped with contemporary capabilities.
He said the security landscape has evolved dramatically, and so must our response to these challenges.
“I hold myself accountable for the current law and order situation in Fiji, much of which has been inherited from decisions made in the past,” Tikoduadua said.
However, the Minister said it is our duty, as stewards of this nation, to look beyond the vestiges of the past and forge a path towards a future where our security apparatus is capable, resilient, and responsive to the needs of our time.
“The battle against drugs and transnational crime also underscores the need for regional international cooperation. In a world where threats are increasingly transnational, our security strategies must also be borderless.”
“We will continue to strengthen our ties with neighbouring countries, international organisations, and allies to combat these global challenges together,” Tikoduadua said.
Meanwhile, Parliament continues tomorrow.
