NFP Booze Plan 'OUTRAGEOUS'
WOMEN FEAR DROP IN PRICE OF BEER LEAVES THEM VULNERABLE
There was outrage yesterday among some women in the North after the National Federation Party (NFP) announced plans to drop the price of locally-manufactured beer. The NFP on Thursday had announced plans to reduce duty on locally-manufactured beer by 20 per cent during the launch of the party’s manifesto at the Vunimono Hall in Nausori.
And a prominent doctor warned that NFP plans to reduce duty on beer and lamb chops would shorten life expectancy.
Women who spoke to Fiji Sun during the FijiFirst Party family fun day in Labasa said life would get much harder for them if the price of beer was dropped as promised by the NFP.
Alumita Tabuya, 28, of Cawaira, said family disputes would increase and women would feel threatened. “Dropping the price on beer in the
country will allow more men to buy and consume it. This would lead to many more conflicts,” she said.
“There will be reckless spending on alcohol, which can lead to a family’s inability in buy basic food items.”
Sakiran Bi, 52, of Wailevu, Labasa, described NFP’s plan on booze as a bad idea.
“We women are living such freely under this Government and here, some other party is trying to make life more threatening for us,” she said.
“Dropping the beer price could also lead to broken families. It’s the women who will suffer the most and the children as well.” Ledua Moimoi, 26, of Soasoa, is worried such policies, if implemented, could lead to more alcohol abuse in communities. “Everyone will be drawn to it and that is a big concern. But it’s the women who will be most vulnerable in such situations,” she said. “Family time will be affected more men would stay out of their houses drinking. This will eventually affect women and children,” she said.
Paulini Adi, 47, of Labasa said: “Men will be drinking more and our security will be at risk.” Rashida Khatun, 43, of Wailevu, said: “Why would a government want to concentrate on reducing the price of beer when there are other bigger things to be concerned with?
“The crime rate will increase making it unsafe for women to walk freely at night. We currently have that freedom and we don’t want to live in fear,” she said.
Medical doctor and FijiFirst candidate Dr Salik Ram Govind weighed in.
He said that NFP’s policies to reduce duty on lamb chops and beer would effectively reduce lifespan of people in Fiji by 20 years
Dropping the beer price could also lead to broken families. It’s the women who will suffer the most and the children as well
Sakiran Bi One of those attending the FijiFirst family fun day at Labasa yesterday