We are keeping an eye on prices and more support will come if need-be – PM

Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says they are keeping an eye on increasing prices and more support will come if need-be.

Bainimarama made the comment while opening the Ra Provincial Council meeting.

He also says as of this month the national minimum wage increased to $3.67 per hour, and this will increase again to $4.00 per hour by January 2023.

Bainimarama says the global issue of inflation continues to affect us in the form of higher prices, which is why the Government announced and paid the $180-per-child payments for vulnerable families.

He says as of 19th October, the Ministry of Economy has paid a total of $67.4 million to 374,251 Fijians through this inflation mitigation initiative. While speaking to the people of Ra about the government’s record, Bainimarama says that is their record, and he is proud to run on it.

He says there are no surprises here, you know what you get with his Government because you have lived it.

Bainimarama says these are stability, certainty, strength, and a genuine partner that wants what you want for your communities.

Meanwhile he also says no iTaukei land has been taken under this Government because no land can be taken under the Fijian Constitution.

Bainimarama says previous constitutions and previous governments allowed for iTaukei land to be converted to freehold land and be permanently taken away.

He says even though previous governments talked big about the need for colonially-constructed institutions, like the Great Council of Chiefs, they abided by an unjust system that allowed iTaukei land to be taken from landowners.

Bainimarama says they all talk and no action, and no protection.

He says under his leadership, that has never happened.

The Prime Minister also says through the equal distribution of lease money, everyone listed under a landowning unit in the Vola ni Kawa Bula receives equal shares of lease money.

He says that has made a huge difference in the lives of real peoplea, and it corrects an injustice of many years’ standing.

Bainimarama says to date, $45 million is currently being held by TLTB on behalf of Fijians from landowning communities below the age of 18 years.

He says not only have they protected iTaukei land, they are finding ways to increase its value and to ensure that all community members, including women and young people, enjoy an equitable share of the benefits of land leasing.

Bainimarama says a few weeks ago, he officiated at the ground-breaking ceremonies of three new subdivisions in Namata, Viseisei and Yadua. He says these are iTaukei lands, and the landowning units have benefitted from the free development and subdivision of their lands at cost to government.

He says the visionary landowners who partnered with them are now free to pocket all of the returns from the leasing of their land.