PRESIDENT Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is entitled to take a nine-member delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next month.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said this as he defended the need for the President to travel with a range of official and support staff.
The President has been asked to lead Fiji’s delegation to the 81st UNGA, following a formal request from Mr Rabuka to permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs, Raijeli Taga.
Mr Rabuka said the decision was intended to give the President an opportunity to deliver Fiji’s national address to the General Assembly during his first term in office.
“The previous president, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, and in the four-year term of my government I’ve done it twice, and each of my presidents have done it once,” he said.
“Our new president will do it this time.”
Documents attached to the letter show a quoted $F45,668 business and first-class fare, while a separate itinerary for his aide-de-camp lists an economy-class fare of $F5778.
The figure does not include accommodation, visas, ground transportation, meals or other expenses associated with the delegation.
Questions have also been raised over the inclusion of the President’s personal butler, physician, and a domestic staff in the nine-member entourage.
“There is nothing special about the size, it’s about the normal size,” the PM said.
“My delegation was around seven people when I went.”
The Prime Minister said the President’s position as Head of State meant he was entitled to make decisions appropriate to his office.
