PM: Govt will not slash budget on roads

The FijiFirst Government will continue to expand and maintain your roading network and will never slash the roads budget as the leader of SODELPA said he would.

This was the assurance made to the people of Lomaiviti by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday.

Prime Minister Bainimarama was speaking at the opening of the three-day Lomaiviti Provincial Council meeting at Nasova, Levuka.

Mr Bainimarama said it was unfortunate that the leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party has spoken on reducing roads budget when it was a major need in Fijian communities.

“As I have shared with the other Provinces, I’m not only here to speak on the past but about the future on “what is next” for your Province, your people, and for Fiji,” he said.

“We are in strong financial position to continue delivering on our development agenda.

“Despite our tourism sector, which is our largest foreign exchange earner, being closed for almost two full years, the Fijian dollar was not devalued.

“This means that Government managed the pandemic well. It also means that those most vulnerable have been shielded from the recent price-increase crisis, as a devaluation would have meant that everyone is paying even more for imported goods.”

He said to continue putting momentum behind Fiji’s recovery, the people of Vanua Levu were benefiting from $100 unemployment assistance payments.

“15,000 people were paid yesterday, and more payments will be made throughout the week.

“As we had announced in this year’s Revised Budget, social welfare recipients have also received a $50 top-up.

“This includes beneficiaries of the social pension scheme, poverty benefit scheme, disability scheme allowance, care and protection allowance, and the expanded food for rural pregnant mothers programme. Nationwide, 89,000 Fijians have benefitted –– including many women and families in Lomaiviti.”