Fiji Sun – 13 March, 2019
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says accessing justice should not mean hours of travel by bus or car.
Mr Bainimarama said this while opening the new Legal Aid Commission office at Keiyasi, Navosa, more than 52 kilometres from Sigatoka, yesterday.
He said the provision of these services was not charity, but a realisation of the constitutional right of every Fijian, the right of equal access to justice.
“That is why today is so important as we officially open the Keiyasi branch of the Legal Aid Commission and the new Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry,” he said.
“Today, we’re bringing those services directly to your doorstep, putting you on equal footing with Fijians in our major towns and urban areas.”
Mr Bainimarama said he was well aware of the reality once faced by the community in Keiyasi, who often had to make the arduous and costly journey to Sigatoka to speak with a Legal Aid officer.
“You must be able to access justice here, in your community, where you live, work and raise your families. And as of today, you finally can,” he said.
A lawyer will be available at the office for two to three days of the week and will provide free legal services to the residents.
There will be a full-time client information officer and registry officer to provide first-line legal assistance to the public.
