Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has called on the Opposition to open their eyes on the support being provided to the vulnerable groups during this pandemic, support the frontline workers and to show some patriotism rather than politicising the difficult situation for political gain.
Bainimarama says he will not support the motion brought forward by NFP President, Pio Tikoduadua as the government is providing funding for the unemployed, the vulnerable and susceptible businesses in a sustained and strategic manner.
While speaking on NFP MP, Pio Tikoduadua’s motion that Parliament approves $50 million from the COVID-19 support aid funds provided by the Governments of New Zealand and Australia to be disbursed as income support to the unemployed and affected small and medium enterprises, Bainimarama says the motion is a waste of time.
He says the Government is making sure that the adverse impact of the pandemic on the unemployed and the vulnerable groups are mitigated through direct support and social net interventions.
The Prime Minister says the Government has continued to provide top ups to the FNPF to assist members with low general account balances and have been affected during this pandemic.
He says the Government provided top ups amounting to $260 million while the Fund has released more than $151 million from member funds.
Bainimarama says just recently, he also announced that $440 will be paid in two installments to eligible Fijians through FNPF. Government will further top up $3.9 million with FNPF releasing approximately $9.1 million.
The Prime Minister further says the Government provided $90 cash distribution to all Fijians 3 weeks ago to support them in buying groceries and essential supplies. He says a total of $10.6 million was paid out to 118,000 households.
Bainimarama says the Government has continued with payment of social benefit schemes to all vulnerable population such as the elderly, people with disabilities and low income households.
He says food rations were provided to households that faced difficulties during the lockdown period.
The Prime Minister also says through the COVID-19 concessional loan package facility, more than 5,000 micro, small and medium enterprises were assisted with approximately $30 million to support their business operations.
Bainimarama says as part of the COVID-19 unemployment assistance, a hiring subsidy called Stronger Together Employers was introduced to incentivize businesses to create employment for out of work Fijians. Employers were granted a wage subsidy equivalent to the minimum wage rate for a 3 month period when they employ eligible Fijians.
The Prime Minister also says Fijians above the age of 18 years in Viti Levu will receive a payment of $50 from the Government if they are not receiving any current benefits. The initiative will cost the Government $10 million and target about 200,000 Fijians.
He also says for food security, seedlings were provided to encourage backyard farming and for Fijians to be self dependent and to grow their own food.
Meanwhile NFP parliamentarian Pio Tikoduadua says the people need to hear the Prime Minister say something substantial, not just for businesses to open and some sense of normalcy to return.
He says the Government cannot see the reality on the ground for themselves.
Tikoduadua suggested for that to happen the Government ministers have to get out of their dark tinted Prados.
He says to use the Prime Minister's words, the piecemeal solutions do not work.
Tikoduadua stresses that government needs to do more.
He says the people are listening and it is their moral obligation to help them.
The NFP President is urging the government to show compassion and have a heart.
Tikoduadua's motion was defeated in parliament.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
