The Leader of the Opposition, Sitiveni Rabuka has suggested in Parliament that Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama should seriously consider removing the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum from managing government finances, or take the portfolio himself or better still, sack him because he is responsible for bringing the economy to its knees.
Rabuka made the comments while delivering his response to the 2020/2021 National Budget.
Rabuka says the Opposition has been raising the issue in the last 4 years that the economy is in recession adding this advice has been totally ignored and fell on deaf ears.
He says government revenue already had a major shortfall before COVID-19.
He has also termed the budget as a doomsday, irresponsible, rudderless and a deceiving budget.
Rabuka says the Minister for Economy blames them and Rabuka in person for the problems that exist now referring to things that happened more than three decades ago.
He adds the removal or reduction of tariffs for more than 1,600 items in the 2020-2021 National Budget is worrying and uncalled for to say the least.
Rabuka also says such reductions or removal of tariffs is often done with great care and consideration of its effect on local industries.
Rabuka says the national public debt has now reached epic proportions and it will bring the nation to its knees.
He further alleged that there have been manipulation of the budget figures in the past.
Rabuka has also suggested to the government to urgently consider convening a ‘National Summit’ where representatives of key stakeholders from different communities, civil society organizations can participate.
He says we need to consult and involve the private sector in our discussions to restore their confidence and trust.
Rabuka also says we need to establish a spirit of genuine dialogue and mutual respect for one another rather than consultation with a selected few like-minded people.
He says any selective approach will not work as we need to shift away from petty politics and obscurity which has been the hallmark of the government for so long.
Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is expected to respond to the comments during his Right of Reply in parliament.
The Leader of the Opposition, Sitiveni Rabuka says the government should focus its effort on discussing with Fiji’s lenders for possible debt review and moratorium rather than wasting time on Trans-Tasman and Bula Bubble knowing too well that the borders will remain closed for a while.
While giving his response to the 2020/2021 National Budget, Rabuka says they would at least divert $700 million to $800 million to priority areas to help those that have lost their jobs through “work for cash programs” which has been used extensively when unemployment increases.
Rabuka says a whopping $1.6 billion is under requisition to incur expenditure adding this is a clear indication that one man is controlling all the funds and not the responsible agencies.
He has questioned in Parliament whether they really need to construct a new office for the Prime Minister when there are people in the country going hungry.
Rabuka says the timing is not right.
$7 million has been allocated for the construction of the new Prime Minister’s Office. The allocation is based on requisition.
Rabuka also told parliament that the allocation for government vehicles continues to increase and is now at $29 million. This is also under requisition.
He adds it is time they streamlined this expenditure.
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