Pacific Polytech chairman Dr Ganesh Chand states there are “extremists” in both major ethnic groups in Fiji who are obstacles to Governments efforts to address deep-seated social and economic challenges facing Fiji.
In a statement posted on his social media page, he highlighted two groups he believes are hindering Fiji’s progress.
He criticized “extremist Indians” who, he claims, oppose efforts to empower Indigenous Fijians through skill development and economic opportunities, citing former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry as an example.
“Hatred for the indigenous, but more so, keeping the indigenous socially and economically backward provides them political fodder to continue to remain relevant,” said Dr Chand, who once served as a Cabinet Minister in Mr Chaudhry’s government that was topped in the 2000 coup.
“Then there are extremist Indigenous Fijians who hate any non-indigenous Fijian to be involved in contributing to bringing vast majority of marginalised Fijians into the mainstream, derogating that right to them, but doing zilch in terms of concrete action for the tens of thousands who are on the margins of society.”
“The nation wont progress as long as these two kinds have their way in the country.”
Dr Chand states Fiji has to move ahead, “leaving these extremists on the side.”
“There must be strong bridges built to bring the 60-80,000 unemployed, unskilled, marginalised indigenous Fijians into the formal skilled sector market which is increasingly being dominated by low to average skilled people from Bangladesh.”
“We must bring confidence back in the vast majority of indigenous Fijians – to work hand in hand with people of other races to build a strong Fiji, and in the process, to create decent living standards and a life of self-respect for all.”
