Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the late Vinod Patel was a wise and intelligent man.

The Ba businessman and founder of the Vinod Patel Group of Companies passed away last Friday at the age of 84.

Mr Rabuka said he became well acquainted with Mr Patel during the formulation of the 1997 Constitution where both served on its joint parliamentary select committee.

“Our Parliamentary mission was to search for new ways of political cooperation; and to address and resolve some of the complexities, the fears and divisions of our multi-ethnic society,” Mr Rabuka said.

“I observed that Mr Patel was wise and intelligent. He was often restrained in his speeches and during discussions in the Parliament Tanoa tea break groups. But what he said was always of value.”

“We shared what I describe as ‘compassionate’ patriotism. We cared very much about Fiji and knew things had to change if the country was to progress.” Mr Rabuka said he was a long-time customer of Vinod Patel hardware.

“There was, however, an embarrassing situation when the previous government stopped my pension. It meant I had difficulty meeting my Vinod Patel debts on time.”

“Not to worry though. The company agreed to give me grace periods in my payments.”

Mr Patel will be accorded his final rites in Ba today.