5 December, 2025, 9:29 pm Central - 24°C Clouds
NFP

The FijiFirst Govt is in election mode while 50% of the population is struggling to put food on the table – Prof Prasad

The FijiFirst Govt is in election mode while 50% of the population is struggling to put food on the table – Prof Prasad

By Iva Danford
20/02/2022
Leader of the National Federation Party Professor Biman Prasad

The Leader of the National Federation Party Professor Biman Prasad says the FijiFirst Government is drunk on power, is in election mode and allegedly abusing valuable state resources while 50 percent of our population is struggling daily to put food on the table for their children and families.

Prasad says he has received many calls in the last few days informing him that Cabinet Ministers were having Talanoa sessions in their communities.

He says even Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who is the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy seems to be in campaign mode after having reportedly announced that there would be a mini-budget in March.

Prasad questions why are the Acting PM and other Cabinet Ministers having Talanoa sessions, why cannot the Economy Minister be precise and come out clearly on whether or not there will be a mini-budget instead of revealing it in a discussion with students.

He says even the Education Minister is having Talanoa sessions with teachers after having totally messed up the ministry and putting in jeopardy the careers of the school heads.

The NFP Leader says the Health Minister has gone on a tour of Kadavu.

Prasad says the Minister for Health has overseen the state of decay of public health and medical services and care due to lack of medication, dysfunctional diagnostic equipment because of the ministry’s inability to even properly maintain them.

He says the sorry and sad sight of grass growing on the CWM Hospital sums up his performance in the portfolio since November 2018.

Prasad says families are struggling to feed their children as poverty levels in the last two years have escalated from almost 30% to 50%, affecting more than 400,000 people.

He says thousands are without safe drinking water in their taps almost on a daily basis.

Prasad adds that the state of the pot-holed filled roads is another story and the sky-rocketing cost of living is going to get worse with the expected rise in the price of fuel and wheat in the near future.

The NFP Leader adds that against this backdrop of doom and gloom, the Cabinet Ministers travel in their dark-tinted luxury Prados to meet the people as if everything is normal.

Prasad says this is clearly an abuse of taxpayers’ resources on something that will in no way improve the lives of the people.

We have sent questions to the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the Minister for Health Ifereimi Waqainabete and the Minister for Education Premila Kumar.

They are yet to respond.

FEATURE NEWS
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Deaf respondents were among the most affected by online abuse during COVID-19 survey
Findings from the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation and the Disability Rights Fund survey show that during COVID-19, 24 percent of respondents ...
3 hours ago

$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
4 hours ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
4 hours ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
5 hours ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
6 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
11 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
11 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP