I AM here as the servant of this House, said Ratu Epeli Nailatikau after his appointment as Speaker of Parliament yesterday.
“The challenge that comes with this responsibility, I do not take lightly and I will, with the best of my ability, serve with dignity, diligence and honour,” he said.
“The Speaker does not represent a political or a certain segment of the electorate or population and it is important to point out that the Speaker is appointed by the Fijian people represented through you, their representative.”
He told MPs that as Speaker, his role and responsibility was to equip them to perform their principle roles as legislators and decision makers. “In other words, our primary interest is the same and that is to serve all Fijians,” he said.
“We must safeguard public trust by conducting ourselves with dignity and in a manner that brings honour and dignity to our nation.”
Ratu Epeli previously served as the Speaker of the then House of Representative from 2001 to 2006.
He also served two terms as Fiji’s President under the Bainimarama-led Government.
