2022 General Election: I always believe in discipline, says former PS

HE has represented the country in international football and been a champion rugby player and athlete.

But this time around, Maretino Nemani is preparing to compete in his biggest challenge yet, the political arena, as a candidate for The People’s Alliance in the 2022 General Election.

“Sports is tough and competitive but I always believe in discipline, hard work and perseverance,” he said.

“I never accepted failure but used that as lessons to motivate and overcome my goals and do better.”

Nemani said he was contesting the polls this year with the same approach.

“I have accumulated 37 years of work experience with 27 years of practising strategic human resources and employment relations in large organisations domestically, regionally and internationally interspersed with consultancies and teaching at tertiary level.

“I was appointed in 2022 by USP as the executive director People and Workforce Strategy and member of the university’s senior management team.

“Preceding that, I was the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Youth and Sports and before that, I was the chief Human Resources and Governance Advisor for the government of Nauru under an AUSAID program.

“I have also undertaken academic teachings at the USP, University of Auckland and AUT University in diverse industries including in Human Resources and Strategic Management disciplines.”

Nemani said he was bringing the discipline and competitiveness of his sporting history and the combined wealth of academic experience to the PA in the hope of bringing positive change for the country.

“PAP has strong leadership and a solid coalition partner that hears and represents the many voices of Fiji today.

“I believe that PAP is the party that is capable and has the collective ability to design and drive strategies and initiatives that are values based.

“PAP has the attitude of servant-leadership, choosing to listen to the people’s voice. That’s the reason why PAP is committed to having national summits to listen to our citizens and target the economy, education, health, youth, employment and other important sectors.”

Nemani said he fully supported PAP’s priority for “the review of government and statutory institutions, their governance and processes to correct and recalibrate their direction and functions.”