PRIME Minister and The People’s Alliance party leader Sitiveni Rabuka admitted at the annual general meeting that older members of the party have failed to involve their youths.
His comment follows serious concerns raised by members who have questioned the party’s strategies in involving youths.
On these issues, Mr Rabuka, at the party’s annual general meeting asked those under 35 years of age to stand up, to which no one did.
Noticing that no one stood up during the meeting, Mr Rabuka assured youth members of an action plan that would not only involve them but hear their views and issues as well.
“We are taking action with what you come up with. We are listening to you,” he said.
“It is very important, not just for the party, not just for the elections but for the economy of this great nation, to keep our young people involved and encouraged.”
Mr Rabuka also joked to his members in the iTaukei language: “ni kua sara ni yalo lailai. ni yalo lailai ga qori au druka o au. Ni gole tiko, ni duavata tiko, toso vata tiko. (Don’t be disheartened. If you get disheartened I’ll lose. Keep moving forward in unity).
But he sternly reminded his divisional reps and management that 70 per cent of voters are youths.
“Once again, I must emphasise the fact that 70 per cent of those that voted are young people and they were the ones that got blamed.
“If we fail to involve them in matters of the party in our discussions, then they will not come through. They will not know the importance of an election.
“We need to explain it to them, what the party is doing and how much they mean to the party. If they are 70 per cent of the voters, it will be 70 per cent of the efforts that keeps this nation going.”
During the meeting held at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on Saturday, a member also queried the absence of Youth Minister Jese Saukuru, who failed to turn up.
He also questioned the party management about their plans to rope in young people and get them involved as they prepare for next year’s General Election.
The member reminded everyone that most voters in the country are youths.
“Most people in the last election were young people. What has the management done or arranged for our youths?
“We don’t have the Minister for Youth here. But are our divisional reps involving the young people in the party’s activities?”
Another member reminded management to treasure and value youths.
