Diligence, dignity and honour – Re-elected Speaker Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni

Re-elected Speaker Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni has assured that her office will deliver its services with diligence, dignity and honour.

In her acceptance speech during the first sitting of Parliament this morning following the 2018 General Election, she said she will not take her role and responsibilities very lightly but rather deliver to the best of her abilities.

“I sincerely thank the Honourable Prime Minister and Honourable Members of Parliament for the trust placed on me to once again serve as Speaker of Parliament for a second term of Parliament,” Hon. Dr Luveni said.

“The challenges that come with this responsibility, I do not take lightly and I will to the best of my abilities, continue to ensure that this office delivers with diligence, dignity and honour.”

“Honourable Members, allow me to also congratulate you again for your recent election victory.  I am very pleased to note that there are 10 women representatives, and is the largest ever our Parliament has had. This is truly a remarkable demonstration of the confidence that the Fijian people have in women as decision-makers and leaders in our nation.”

Hon. Dr Luveni, at the same time, acknowledged the contributions of the UNDP through the Fiji Parliament Support Project for its continued support to the Fijian Parliament and its Secretariat.

“I also extend my utmost gratitude to our donors, the Governments of New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the EU.  I wish to also acknowledge the financial and technical support from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and China and other Parliaments.  Parliament has expanded its visibility through their assistance.”

She added; “One thing I have always been passionate about is the Sustainable Development Goals; part of a wider global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  In these past four years, our Parliament has made great strides to have our voice as a Small Island Development State, heard on this issue at the global level through the Inter-Parliamentary Union”.

“Parliaments are at the heart of the SDGs and as SDG 16 suggests, strong, transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions are key for the achievement of all of the goals.

Meanwhile, Hon. Veena Bhatnagar was appointed as Deputy Speaker and SODELPA MP Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka as the Leader of Opposition.

Ends.