Newly appointed Parliamentary Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau

Newly appointed Parliamentary Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says his nomination was not an easy process.

In his first address as Speaker of the House, Ratu Epeli says he knows it’s a difficult task because he’s been through it twice after previously holding the role from 2001 to 2006.

Ratu Epeli highlighted how he was appointed Speaker of the House in 2001 in the spur of the moment after initially accompanying his wife, Adi Koila Nailatikau who was to be sworn in as a Senator.

He highlighted that this time, he was approached by a third party before meeting with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama two weeks ago.

He also revealed he had a final briefing with the Prime Minister over the weekend to be present in parliament today for the appointment of the Speaker.

The Speaker also emphasized to the members of parliament that he’s there as a Servant of the House.

Meanwhile, parliament has been adjourned until 2:30pm as the Speaker is currently being briefed by the Parliament Secretariat.