The founding general secretary of the Social Democratic Liberal Party and party stalwart, Pio Tabaiwalu, passed away early yesterday morning in Suva after a long illness.
SODELPA president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau confirmed Mr Tabaiwalu’s demise in a statement today.
He said Mr Tabaiwalu was a man that stood with principles, a man of wisdom and was very articulate.
“Mr Tabaiwalu hailed from the mataqali Nasau of Navutulevu Village, Serua, with maternal links to Namaqumaqua, Serua. He was a former student of Marist Brother’s High School, Suva, before completing his degree in history, politics, and English from the University of the South Pacific. Through the British Governments’ Chevening Scholarship, Mr Tabaiwalu attained a master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the University of South Hampton in England,” Ratu Epenisa said.
“Mr Tabaiwalu worked quite extensively in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specialising in Multilateral and Regional Trade and ascended to the position of Deputy Secretary at the Ministry. He was closely involved as lead negotiator on Fiji’s trade agreements such as the Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), the Pacific Island Countries Closer Economic Relations (PACER) with Australia and New Zealand and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
“He served as a First Secretary (Economic and Political Affairs) at the Fiji Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and later as a Counsellor dealing with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland and African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) matters at the Fiji Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. He was then appointed as Senior Trade Policy Advisor dealing with PICTA, PACER and EPA at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
“Mr Tabaiwalu was inducted into politics by former Prime Minister, the late Honourable Laisenia Qarase in 2006. After successfully contesting the 2006 elections, he was appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in the Qarase government until the military takeover in December 2006.
“Despite the harsh political environment after the 2006 coup, he remained steadfast in advocating for the respect of the rule of law, democracy, and economic development of grassroots people. He was a founding member of SODELPA becoming its first general secretary and spearheaded preparations for the 2014 national elections after eight years of military rule.”
Ratu Epenisa said despite his ailing health, Mr Tabaiwalu continued to offer his services to the Party, and even put himself up for SODELPA leadership challenge.
“In his passing, the SODELPA family has lost a towering figure who was more than once the conscience keeper of the Party, a pillar of strength and full of energy and hope, which were all very fine attributes of his leadership encouraging SODELPA members to continue the fight.
“His absence and the huge vacuum of knowledge and experience his demise has created is going to be felt in the Party for a long time. It is a painful task for me to bid farewell to a great personality like Mr Tabaiwalu.
“On behalf of the SODELPA family, I wish to offer my heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family members, relatives, friends, and the Vanua o Conua.
“May he rest high in peace and may his exemplary contributions and outstanding qualities continue to inspire us to achieve the mission and vision of SODELPA.”
Ratu Epenisa said traditional protocols were being observed and funeral arrangements had begun.
