NFP says govt does not care about the lives of ordinary people

National Federation Party President Pio Tikoduadua has accused the government of not caring about the lives of ordinary people while the government has said that keeping the economy afloat and supporting businesses and those that are unemployed is critical for immediate relief and long-term economic recovery.

Tikoduadua has made these comments during the Party’s Working Committee Meeting in Nadi today.

He says Fiji’s ordinary people, are suffering from the social injustices, inequalities, a fast deteriorating public health and medical care system and a sugar industry struggling for survival.

He says the people are suffering due to a government that has heaped more restrictions than governments combined since 1970.

He adds that there is nothing to show for the so-called 10 years of Bainimarama boom.

Meanwhile, the government had said the massive reduction in taxes announced in the 2020/2021 National Budget is expected to stimulate business and consumption activity.

The Ministry for Economy has said that keeping the economy afloat and supporting businesses and those that are unemployed is critical for immediate relief and long-term economic recovery.

It says increased external financing through multilateral partners like the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, World Bank and bilateral partners like the Japanese Government will help sustain expenditure, while quantitative easing measures through RBF purchase of Government bonds and other domestic financing will assist further.

Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Yogesh Karan had earlier said that since 2016 there has been a 30% increase in sugar cane yield.

Karan had said cane growers are making profits averaging from $25 to $35 for every tonne of cane which is nearly 30 to 40% gross margin after costs are met.

He had also said on average, the cane production cost is $31.00 per tonne and average harvesting and cartage cost of $30.00 per tonne adding about 40% of the cane production cost is absorbed by the Government through weedicide subsidies of 55% and fertiliser subsidies which are 56%.

Karan had also said that when compared to other businesses, the growers are way better off at cane payment of $85 per tonne and the higher the yield for farmers, the higher their total net income.

Government has also allocated more than $15 million towards the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme in the 2020-2021 financial year.

The Fiji National Provident Fund’s COVID-19 Phase Two withdrawal which was to end with the fifth payment is also continuing to assist Fijians who have lost their jobs or are on reduced hours.