Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu this evening questioned whether indigenous Fijians were adequately prepared to manage major commercial ventures, while speaking on the Mahogany Industry Development Bill in Parliament.
Seruiratu said legislation alone would not guarantee success and stressed the need for strong policies and institutional support to help iTaukei businesses succeed.
“Let us build policy. Let us show Government and the whole world that we can do it,” he said.
He acknowledged ongoing Government efforts through the Fijian Holdings Limited tower to support iTaukei participation in business, but warned that accountability and capability were critical.
“You know the history of our businesses. Let us be honest about this,” he said.
Seruiratu cited several past examples where indigenous business ventures struggled, including transport and forestry-related operations.
He claimed one company involved in transport operations eventually had to outsource work because it could not sustain operations independently.
“ITaukei, the landowners were given contracts to harvest pine and transport. In the end, they could not do it and the company had to out-source it again,” he said.
The Opposition Leader also referred to earlier assistance programmes aimed at increasing indigenous participation in commercial activities, including support through the Fiji Pine.
“Even the canteen in Lololo that was given to the iTaukei – they can’t event operate it.”
He said bulldozers and other resources had been provided under previous initiatives to help landowners participate in business operations.
Fiji Hardwood Corporation back then was helping the Itaukei – the first bulldozer under that program was given to a mataqali to help indigenous participation in the operations of the company. What happened to the bulldozer – Fiji Hardwood had to go back and bring back the bulldozer.”
Seruiratu said while he supported greater landowner involvement in mahogany ventures, participation must be backed by strong governance, systems and long-term sustainability.
