Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the proposed constitutional amendment process faces a crucial deadline when Parliament resumes on November 2, warning that the Bill cannot proceed if the required steps are not completed within the available time.
In a video message marking Fiji Day, Mr Rabuka described the year as both fruitful and one of anticipation, with Parliament’s committee working on the proposed constitutional amendments.
‘We have another difficult 30 days ahead of us before we come back to Parliament on the 2nd of November,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said he hoped the process would proceed smoothly, but warned that if matters were not completed by the end of that week, the process would stop.
“If nothing happens at the end of that week, everything stops. We cannot pass the Bill; it stops,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the constitutional amendment process, Mr Rabuka urged Fijians to continue with their daily lives and enjoy the national celebrations.
“But you, the people of Fiji, should continue to perform, continue to enjoy life,” he said.
He said the Government valued the views of the people and acknowledged the work of civil servants.
