Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated our economic problems but it is well acknowledged that the economy was in dire trouble before the pandemic hit us however Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says if Chaudhry says the horse is green, will you come and ask him why the horse is green.
When questioned by fijivillage, Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says Mahendra Chaudhry is making noises because he is able to contest the elections.
In a statement, Chaudhry says the 14 years of gross misrule has driven the country to virtual bankruptcy with a huge debt burden where the economy has shrunk by an estimated 27% in the last three years alone.
He says the past two years or so have brought home the urgent need for a change of direction and leadership and adds our nation is in deep distress.
Chaudhry says the folly of depending so much on tourism came home to roost when the industry collapsed with the closure of international borders.
He adds this caused severe dislocation as tens and thousands of workers lost their livelihoods and were forced to withdraw millions of dollars of their pension to provide for their families.
Chaudhry adds our young people are unable to find jobs despite degrees and our farmers are struggling to survive.
He says the nation needs a competent and caring leadership as well as a new direction to broaden our economic base.
However Sayed-Khaiyum says these are the same people who have been commenting on the financial performance in the last financial year but they have got it wrong again.
Sayed-Khaiyum adds it is not even worth responding to.
The FLP Leader has also expressed disappointment that government has chosen not to grant the people a working public holiday to celebrate Fiji Day.
Chaudhry says not giving a public holiday on a working day shows a lack of national pride by government.
Sayed-Khaiyum says the law is clear that we celebrate Fiji Day on the day it falls and as a former Prime Minister, Chaudhry knows this.
The Attorney General says this is just a political gimmick from people who want to talk about the rule of law but do not follow the law.
