People’s Alliance Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka says the decision by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to use the parliamentary session to appoint the President of Fiji to slip in some additional government guarantees makes a mockery of the parliamentary system.
He says the Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy continue to take the people of Fiji for granted and think that the country is their own personal cheque book.
He says this casual attitude to guarantee issuances reveals an inability to manage the economic affairs of the country in a disciplined manner.
Rabuka says any Chief Financial Officer would be fired for essentially coming back soon after National Budget approval for more money and in the Minister of Economy’s case, budget approval was mid-July 2021, not even 6 months after the submission and approval of the National Budget.
The former Prime Minister says this is the third request for Government guarantees for Fiji Airways and the question that must be asked by the people of Fiji is are there more requests to come.
Rabuka further says whilst Fiji Airways is getting all the support it needs, why is Fijian Holdings which is struggling not getting any attention.
Rabuka adds the Government should conduct an independent review of the national carrier to fully understand and disclose the financial affairs of the national carrier and assess whether it has the ability to trade as a going concern.
Rabuka also raised concerns about the Fiji Development Bank and the purpose of the additional guarantees being required for the Development Bank.
We have contacted Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for a response. He is yet to respond.
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