Voters Query Vosarogo About Assistance Provided by Govt
The Government’s assistance will be reviewed in the first 100 days if The People’s Alliance (PA) and National Federation Party (NFP) win the election. This was highlighted by the PA candidate Filimoni Vosarogo while campaigning at Naulukora Hall in Veikoba.
He was questioned by Volau Tarogi on whether the current assistance would continue if they were voted into Government after this year’s election.
Mr Tarogi said the people are worried that the assistance provided under the FijiFirst Government would stop if a new government was voted into power. “Current assistance being provided by the Fijian Government is free bus fares and social welfare assistance schemes,” he said. “People are worried that when a new party is voted into Government, all the current assistance and handouts being provided by the current government will discontinue.
“We need assurance from you.” In response, Mr Vosarogo said the assistance would continue, but the PA and NFP would review some.
“All Government programmes will continue,” he said.
“There will be more Tertiary Education Loan Scheme.”
He said The PA and NFP would replace the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme and National Toppers Scholarship with full scholarship and bond conditions.
“The TELS loans will be written off and the new scholarships from next year will be funded from the existing budget allocation of $162.6 million,” he said.
“In essence, the same number of students will be funded, but there will be no student loans.
“We will immediately establish an Education Commission to review the entire education system in the country that shall recommend improvement in the quality of teaching and leadership of the school system.”
Mr Vosarogo also revealed that The PA and NFP would pay for the grant that the current Government owes the University of the South Pacific.
He had intense discussions on this with supporters.
He said they would also allow deported University of the South Pacific vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia to return to Fiji.