The total cost of the recent overseas duty travel for the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and the First Lady amounts to just over $200,000.
This figure has been confirmed by Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka after fijvillage News asked him what is the total cost of the President's trip overseas which includes visits to the US, England, Ireland, the Vatican City and the United Arab Emirates.
Rabuka says in his view, this duty travel represents a prudent and justified expenditure of public funds, as the benefits and goodwill generated for Fiji far exceed the direct financial cost of the visit.
He says the President is currently on duty travel, authorised by him in his capacity as Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Prime Minister says there are specific engagements that can only be undertaken by the Head of State in the conduct of diplomacy on behalf of our nation, funded from the allocation in the 2025-2026 budget for Overseas Travels in the Office of the President.
He says he is satisfied with the outcomes achieved thus far.
Rabuka says in his assessment, this has been a highly successful visit.
He adds all our Presidents and Heads of State since independence have undertaken duty travel as part of their constitutional and ceremonial responsibilities.
The Prime Minister says such travel is an established aspect of the President’s role in representing the people of Fiji and advancing our national interests with development partners at the ‘Head of State’ level.
He says as the Father and Mother of the Nation, Their Excellencies have taken the opportunity to meet with members of the Fijian diaspora living and working abroad.
Rabuka says these Fijians remain an integral part of our extended national family and have warmly expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the Head of State and engage in talanoa about their homeland.
The Prime Minister says the President’s travel is conducted in full accordance with the Parliamentary Remunerations Act and Schedule 1 of that Act.
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