Forgiveness Ceremony questioned by Ratu Epeli

[posted 06 October 2004, 16:00]

Ousted GCC Chairman, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, called the performance of the matanigasau (traditional forgiveness ceremony) meaningless, since the chiefs making the offering did not present it to the parties wronged in the events surrounding the May 2000 Coup.  

Ratu Epeli's comments are in line with Labour's decision to boycott the National Reconciliation Week.  

The weeklong Government fete comes with a price tag of $700,000,  at a time when we are told that funds for essential social services and medical facilities are unavailable.  

The celebrations include week-long sports tournaments where government members are actively participating.  Officials can be found daily at sporting grounds in Laucala Bay and Suva Point carrying out the essential work of reconciling the differences between the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Finance Volleyball teams.

All this, just one week after the release of the Auditor-General's 2003 Report citing massive government mismanagement of funds and corruption.