1 February, 2026, 12:28 am Central - 25°C Clouds

Usamate says there is a new disease in Parliament where people are losing their marbles after the NFP Leader’s attack on the Health Minister

Usamate says there is a new disease in Parliament where people are losing their marbles after the NFP Leader’s attack on the Health Minister

By Shanil Singh
09/02/2022
[image: Parliament of Fiji]

Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate says there is a new disease in Parliament where people are losing their marbles after the NFP Leader, Professor Biman Prasad’s attack on the Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete.

Prasad made the comments while speaking on the debate that the Government guarantee the Fiji Development Bank borrowings for the 12 month period from 1st March 2022 to 28th February 2023, that the Government guarantee the sum of $200 million for the guarantee period and that a guarantee fee of 0.075% be applied on the cumulative utilised guarantee credit.

The NFP Leader says Dr Waqainabete will leave a legacy which will be the worst health system in the country’s history.

Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate then raised the point of order.

Prasad further says these type of guarantees by Parliament is not a joke and is a serious issue.

He says his advice to Government would be that if they want to bring a motion for a guarantee then they should provide the statistics and details so that the Opposition knows where Government is coming from.

Prasad says without the good principles of accountability and transparency, it is very difficult to support the motion.

The NFP Leader has also highlighted today that media organizations like fijivillage and Fiji Times has more government content than FBC and Fiji Sun, and Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should not say that they are biased.

In his response, Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that he had only said that if a particular media organization has a political proclivity, then they should declare that.

Sayed-Khaiyum says these media organizations should not hide behind the facade of being independent.

He says Prasad is going on about it because he hit the wrong nerve. Shanil

FEATURE NEWS
Singapore 7s: Fiji to play New Zealand in Cup semi final
The Fiji Boginisoko gets Fiji the win South Africa on the attack, kick pass did not go to hand. Fiji throw in Extra time RSA 19-19 FIJ 13" Fiji penal...
11 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Singapore 7s: Ditavutu double helps Fijiana thump Japan 34-12
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side has finally won a game at the Singapore 7s after thumping Japan 34-12 in their last pool game.However, this win will ...
1 hour ago

Millions of Epstein files released
Millions of new files relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the US Department of Justice, marking the largest ...
7 hours ago

WAF planned works at Tamavua Water Treatment Plant will cause reduced water supply
Thousands of residents supplied by the Tamavua Water Treatment Plant are expected to experience reduced water pressure or intermittent supply as the ...
9 hours ago

Fuel prices to go down while gas to go up from tomorrow
Good news as fuel prices will go down, however, people will need to pay more for gas from tomorrow. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission ...
10 hours ago

Water supply has been restored this morning to residents living in elevated areas of Lami
Water supply has been restored this morning to residents living in elevated areas of Lami as the Water Authority of Fiji continues work to restore ...
12 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
10 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
11 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
11 days ago

TOP