News

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has again re-affirmed Government’s earlier decision not to give permit to the Methodist Church for the annual Methodist Church of Fiji conference.

Bainimarama says his meeting with Methodist executives this morning did not produce any positive results and that their earlier decision will not be altered.

“The decision is that we’ve postponed the Methodist Conference until next year. That’s the final decision by the Government. That is being made known to the president and the general secretary.”

Methodist Church General Secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu says the church’s executive council will have to meet first before they can make a statement on the issue.

-Fiji Broadcasting Corporation LTD.

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Fiji Methodists Wait

Fiji Methodist Church leaders have met the Prime Minister and his senior military officers and are anxiously awaiting word on whether their annual conference will go ahead.

Neither the church ministers nor PM Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama spoke to the media after their hour-long meeting at Government Buildings today.

Methodist Church General Secretary Reverand Tuikilakila Waqairatu briefly explained that they are awaiting word from the Government on what will be done.

The Government is likely to issue a statement on the outcome of the meeting.

Also present in the meeting were Commissioner Central Lieutenant Liolonel Mosese Tikoitoga, Lieutant-Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, Minister for Works Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva and Information Permanent Secretary Lieutant-Colonel Neumi Leweni.

Church President Ame Tugaue had asked to meet Bainimarama after the military council and police last Friday announced the cancellation of the conference.

The security forces attributed the cancellation to security concerns surrounding the possible discussion of political issues during the two-week long event in August.

The Methodist conference, a highlight of the church’s annual calendar, sees members from all over the country gather in one location.

The people of Rewa Province have been preparing for two years to host the event this year.