Kumar on FijiFirst borrowings

THE FijiFirst government had to borrow to protect households and businesses from economic hardships during COVID-19 and earlier cyclones.

This was revealed by Opposition MP Premila Kumar in Parliament yesterday while responding to the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s opening speech.

“The borrowed funds were used for fiscal stimulus measures to kick-start the economy and to continue with the development projects,” said Mrs Kumar.

“For example, building new markets as you can see in Savusavu and Levuka, roads, schools, hospitals, the Viria water project, upgrading of informal settlements in Cuvu, Ledrusasa and Waidamudamu. Bridges such as Toga bridge in Rewa, Wainawi in Kasavu, Tavualevu in Tavua, Vuniyasi in Nadi, Nayarabale in Cakaudrove and upgrading of informal settlements. The public-private partnership housing project which Minister for Housing mentioned was initiated by FijiFirst with the completion of land preparation and the engagement of IFC.”

She added that over the past 15 months, the Coalition Government has been busy unveiling projects and engaging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

“Now they should stop lying to the public and in this Parliament that the FijiFirst government did nothing. Let the public judge what FijiFirst did for this nation and we challenge you to do better than us.”

In response, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua said they had received criticism from the Opposition that Government was only continuing the projects of the FijiFirst administration.

“What I want to say to that is this; those are projects for the people of Fiji that the previous Government was stalling,” she said.

“They made announcements, they allocated budgets, but no effort or commitment was ever made to even start the projects and I just name two examples: Nabouwalu Town Centre project was announced in 2016 for six years after that, what was done? Nothing. The Keiyasi Township Development was announced in 2015. For seven years, what was done? Nothing.”