Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reiterates that the estimated budget of $360,000 for the National Economic Summit is only an estimate, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad has confirmed that the summit has attracted significant financial sponsorship of over $150,000.
Rabuka has clarified that the estimated budget for the summit was approved by Cabinet on the understanding that the Ministry would seek sponsorship for the summit to minimise costs.
He says Professor Prasad had presented the estimated budget to cabinet for the event.
Rabuka adds he is sure that the summit, attended by over 500 participants will cost less than half the estimated figure for a national event of this magnitude.
The Prime Minister says he is sure the Deputy Prime Minister will provide to the nation the final expenditure or the actual cost of the event, in the near future.
Rabuka says the People’s Coalition Government firmly believes in transparency and accountability and that is why Government is upfront in the use of taxpayers’ funds.
He also says the announcement of estimated budgets for the National Economic Summit and the Girmit Day and Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations, is in conformity with this principle.
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry has earlier said that following the Prime Minister’s comments that he had to make it very clear to all ministers to cut down on costs, Labour calls on the government to release the full details of the $0.5 million each allocated for the Girmit and Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations.
Chaudhry says they question the need for an international conference and golf tournament to celebrate Girmit Day.
He asks are these events appropriate to commemorate the blood and sweat of our Girmitya forefathers toiling in the cane fields in slave-like conditions.
Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says following the Prime Minister’s comments that he had to make it very clear to all ministers to cut down on costs, Labour calls on the government to release the full details of the $0.5 million each allocated for the Girmit and Ratu Sukuna Day celebrations.
Chaudhry says they question the need for an international conference and golf tournament to celebrate Girmit Day.
He asks are these events appropriate to commemorate the blood and sweat of our Girmitya forefathers toiling in the cane fields in slave-like conditions.
The FLP Leader further says the Prime Minister’s statement that he is not happy with the $360,000 budget for the Economic Summit is a rebuke to Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad.
Chaudhry says this is the third time that Prasad appears to have ruffled the Prime Minister’s feathers.
He says the first was when the Prime Minister announced there will be a mini budget in March but Prasad immediately countered that publicly by saying there will be no mini-budget, just the Budget in July.
Chaudhry says the second was when Prasad jumped the gun and announced that “taxation increases are inevitable” just as he announced the appointment of the Fiscal Review Committee.
The FLP Leader adds this undoubtedly puts the coalition government in a somewhat awkward, if not embarrassing position, as it had been campaigning to bring down the high cost of living, not raise taxes.
We have sought comments from Professor Prasad.
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