Attacking the Fiji Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday and then dismissing its CEO the next day is “a serious blow” to Government’s claim of Fiji being a democratic and inclusive State.

This was the sentiment expressed by Social Empowerment Education Programme (SEEP) executive director Chantelle Khan.

She made the comment in relation to the sacking of FBoS CEO Kemueli Naiqama after he released ethnic and religious data in the 2019-2020 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

“SEEP notes the findings of the survey and applaud the Bureau of Statistics for choosing to publish and share the data – for those of us engaged in filling in the gaps where Government cannot reach all of our people, this disaggregated data allows us insight into the issues across the entire spectrum of Fijian households,” Ms Khan said.

“It then assists us in shaping and designing projects that benefit those vulnerable and marginalised groups.”

She said the irony that on the very day the world celebrated International Day of Democracy, Mr Naiqama’s axing by the Office of the Attorney-General showed the absence of it in Fiji.

Questions sent to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum on Thursday and again yesterday on the comments made by Ms Khan remain unanswered.