Gavoka: Municipal elections have been long-awaited

Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka says the municipal elections have been long awaited.

Mr Gavoka said the previous government could not make up its mind.

“A minister then said it would happen and then another minister said it won’t,” Mr Gavoka said while responding to queries from The Fiji Times yesterday.

“The people of the municipalities want to control their own affairs which comes through the elections of their councilors, and this is what the coalition Government is giving them.

“There is much joy that municipal elections will happen.”

The election of municipal councillors was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday.

Mr Rabuka said the process included the establishment of a working group chaired by the permanent secretary Local Government, and comprising heads of central agencies, CEO of municipal councils and the Fiji Elections Office.