PM Commissions Four Irish Crossings Worth $4.4million
Government has the funds to pay for infrastructural development to better the lives of all Fijians regardless of what critics say.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama shared these sentiments on Koro Island while commissioning four new low-level crossings yesterday.
The crossings cost a total of $4.4 million and were funded solely by the FijiFirst Government.
“These new roads have been funded directly by the Government I lead,” Mr Bainimarama told villagers.
“They are not funded by foreign investment. They are not gifts from overseas. Your Government has provided every dollar of this investment in your success.
“Today is a victory for Koro, but it is hardly the first big win Fiji has celebrated in 2020.
“In one week, spanning four islands, I’ve commissioned nearly $20 million worth of new developments.
“But even with those victories under our belt, my political opponents are traveling around the country – probably on the new roads we’ve just built – spreading lies that the Government has run out of money.”
He said that stories spread by Opposition that government has no money is untrue and hypocritical.
“Because when many of them were in government, Fiji had to take out loans just to pay their day-to-day expenses.” “Meanwhile, Fiji’s development was irregular, shoddy and slow. But that is not the Fiji of today. The Fiji of today is a strong country with a strengthening economy.”
Mr Bainimarama said Fiji’s economy is managed responsibly and on Koro and across all other islands Fijians are seeking and feeling the fruits of the current government’s successes.
“Friends, developing infrastructure networks aren’t owed to luck and don’t happen by accident. These investments are only possible when economies do well.”
“In Fiji’s case we’ve been smart with our finances. We’ve made strategic investments in our people’s well-being; expanding access to education, services, infrastructure and opportunity.”
“We’ve helped Fijians pursue businesses of their own, turning them from job takers into job makers.”
He stated that the government’s hard work has resulted in a 10year streak of economic growth. “Another big reason why Fiji has advanced to new heights is that we’ve dismantled the old systems that served only the privileged. Instead the Fiji I lead rewards merit, and merit alone.”
“Because we believe that every Fijian child deserves an equal shot at opportunity.” Mr Bainimarama said it is government’s duty to support all Fijians however the most important paths forward are those that are self-created.
“And it is government’s duty to support you in that journey of self-discovery and fulfilment irrespective of who you voted for.” “But remember, if you don’t have the right people in Government, if you have bad people making bad decisions, it is your wellbeing, your livelihoods, and your future and your children’s future that is put at risk.”
Koro islanders were urged to use the opportunities provided to them to start a new chapter in their lives and in their communities.