Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo has taken aim at opposition MP Ketan Lal, telling the public they should deal directly with the ministry rather than raising concerns through the MP’s Facebook posts.
Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the motion thanking Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for his address, Vosarogo said members of the public had direct access to him and his ministry.
“To the public, you do not have to speak to the honourable Ketan Lal to talk to me via his Facebook post,” Vosarogo said.
“I am available to talk to you and my staff are also prepared to talk to you.”
He added that he expects officials within the Lands Ministry to be vigilant and responsive when dealing with stakeholder requests.
During his contribution, the minister also criticised what he described as uneven standards in the parliamentary debate responding to the President’s speech.
Vosarogo said some MPs had delivered thoughtful contributions that matched the significance of the President’s address by discussing government policies and future programmes for Fiji.
He noted that these interventions often used specific cases and events to illustrate weaknesses or loopholes in systems or public services, which he said was acceptable and constructive.
However, he said other contributions only paid “lip service” to the substance of the President’s address before shifting to unrelated grievances.
According to the minister, some MPs treated the occasion like “another day in Parliament” rather than an opportunity to respond meaningfully to the national roadmap outlined by the President.
Vosarogo urged MPs to raise the standard of debate in future responses to the President’s address and to ensure their contributions remained focused on the policy direction and priorities set out for the country.
He stressed that constructive debate anchored in national issues would better serve Fiji and its people.
