Villager queries use of financial assistance

A QUESTION on how the Government used the COVID-19 financial assistance they had received from foreign countries was raised when Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka and National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad visited Namoli, Lautoka, on Wednesday night.

During the listening tour, a villager asked the two leaders to explain how the Government used the financial assistance as it was unclear to most people.

He said people were instructed to make use of their own money which was meant for retirement funds.

In response, Mr Rabuka said they had raised the same question with Government but they were told the assistance had been channelled to other areas where government revenue was short.

He said they had suggested

Government use the financial assistance from donors to assist companies who had laid-off employees.

Prof Biman Prasad said it was important to note the economy worldwide was affected.

He said they had suggested Government establish a solidarity fund to assist those who were affected by COVID-19.

Prof Prasad said the Government needed to come out very clearly and re-prioritise its expenditure. “The Government needs to come out very clearly and reprioritise its expenditure which includes all the support that we are getting from our development partners so that we address fundamentally the real problems facing the people right now,” he said.

“We need to look at all the support that is coming from outside. We need to look at the government expenditures, the priorities — whether the Government should continue with all the assistant ministers.

“Can we cut expenditures in other areas and can we reduce the number of ministers travelling to open a bridge or government projects?

“These are difficult times for our country.

“Every dollar, every cent is important and we want that every dollar and cent to be used properly so that our people can be helped.”