A New Approach: Lifting Fiji Out of Poverty One Village at a Time

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized the importance of moving beyond providing handouts in his New Year’s Day address to the nation. He highlighted poverty alleviation as a critical focus for the Coalition Government as they move into 2025.

Rabuka expressed a vision aimed at elevating the most marginalized and impoverished communities through a targeted approach, helping one village at a time. He acknowledged that this is a gradual process but noted that success was possible, as demonstrated by other nations committed to similar goals. He firmly stated, “It is time to stop giving handouts, and it is time to work on lifting our people out of the cycle of poverty and reliance. This calls for innovation and investment.”

The Prime Minister depicted a collaborative effort that requires participation from all sectors of society, particularly emphasizing the role of the private sector, which would be supported by government initiatives. He addressed the Coalition Government’s consistent efforts over the last two years to ensure basic rights such as housing, sanitation, and access to food and water for all Fijians. This includes increased infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing the quality of life for citizens.

In terms of water supply improvements, Rabuka mentioned the Rural Water and Sanitation Policy, which is dedicated to expanding access to clean drinking water and essential sanitation facilities in rural and maritime regions. He also shared that the Water Authority of Fiji has been allocated a budget of $259 million for various programs, including a rainwater harvesting scheme for remote communities.

Additionally, he reassured citizens that the government would maintain existing social protection programs like the Family Assistance Scheme, Disability Allowance, Child Protection Allowance, and others, ensuring that support is still available for those in need.

This focus on empowerment rather than dependency reflects a hopeful vision for the future, one that seeks to foster self-sufficiency and dignity among the population while still acknowledging the need for safety nets during the transition.

In summary, Rabuka’s address outlines a proactive strategy aimed at reducing poverty with an emphasis on community engagement and sustainable development, with the hope of fostering a more self-reliant and dignified society.