Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the problem of illicit drugs within schools and the wider community. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Commissioner of the Central Division and representatives from nine line agencies, where they discussed the emerging development needs identified by District Advisory Councillors.
Prasad urged parents, teachers, community leaders, religious figures, and other stakeholders to unite in the fight against drug issues. He instructed the District Advisory Councillors attending the meeting to identify schools and neighborhoods with drug access, providing authorities with a list of these high-risk areas.
The meeting also covered various pressing topics, including the high dropout rate in schools, incidents of violence against women, the situation of street dwellers, enforcement of the minimum wage, garbage management costs, operations at the Nausori Health Centre, fertilizer subsidy issues, and the Natovi jetty.
Regarding the implementation of the minimum wage, which stands at $4.50, Professor Prasad warned that businesses failing to comply would face strict consequences. He directed the Ministry of Employment to perform oversight visits with employers within the division to ensure adherence.
Additionally, Prasad proposed establishing a regional inter-agency coordination body to effectively tackle the issues raised during the forum by stakeholders and line agencies. He stressed the necessity of holding regular meetings to ensure timely coordination and resolution of these matters by the government.