CLAIMS that the previous government failed to address Fiji’s drug problem are incorrect, says Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu
Responding to comments made by Justice Minister Siromi Turaga during the Fiji Media Association Town Hall meeting in Korovou,Tailevu on July 3, Mr Seruiratu said efforts to combat narcotics had been underway well before the change of government.
“This is an issue that has been there for a long while in Fiji and government has taken all the necessary steps to combat this serious issue,” he said.
“It’s not correct to say that nothing was done during the term of the previous government.”
Mr Seruiratu said the Anti-Narcotics Bureau had already been in development, although legislation needed to fully support its work had not been completed.
“There was the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, in fact, was something that has been in the pipeline for quite a long while.”
He said one of the previous administration’s priorities was to separate the drug unit from the wider police force because of concerns raised at the time.
“The fact is what the previous government did, they tried to isolate the Anti-Drug Unit from the Fiji Police Force for obvious reasons. Because there had been a lot of allegations about corruption within the Fiji Police Force.”
He said, during his tenure as Defence Minister, he regularly received confidential briefings on drug-related activities.
“We are aware of the drug problems but in terms of how it is being addressed, that is the responsibility of the Police Commissioner.”
Mr Seruiratu said government support was provided whenever requested by the Police Commissioner, consistent with the commissioner’s constitutional role.
