Bula
I will support the government. Opposition and former FijiFirst party member Viliame Naupoto says he remains an independent MP but is open to joining the People’s Alliance Party if given the chance. For now, he will support the Sitiveni Rabuka-led government. Meanwhile, his former FFP colleague and Opposition MP Premila Kumar has stated she has no plans to join any political party and will remain an independent member of Parliament, citing differing values from those of the FijiFirst party.
In another development, economist and Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube has revealed that Fiji is missing significant opportunities to grow the economy by as much as five percent annually if its national budgets continue to overlook the resource sectors.
Attorney-General Graham Leung has called for the resignation of acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku, following a Supreme Court opinion that Rabuku is not eligible for judicial appointment due to disciplinary proceedings that disqualified him under Section 105(2)(b).
Synopsis
The reduction in the budget allocation for the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is drawing criticism. Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal expressed his concerns during the Dialogue Fiji post-budget forum in Suva, noting a $30 million decrease in FRA’s budget. Lal highlighted that although the FRA has received substantial budgets in the past with low utilization, particularly apart from the election year in 2022 when nearly the entire budget was spent, the need for infrastructure development remains.
Under the proposed 2024-2025 National Budget, FRA is allocated $354.8 million, a reduction of $32.8 million. Lal argues that reducing the budget for critical entities like the FRA, particularly considering the current state of roads, is not a good idea.
Concerns include fading road markings, inadequate drainage systems, and unaddressed potholes, all contributing to higher vehicle maintenance costs for owners. There are safety issues, especially at night or in bad weather, due to unclear road markings and the glare from headlights making driving hazardous.
Given these challenges, there is a need for accountability and for decisions to be made with a clear understanding of real-world conditions. Ensuring roads are safe and up to standard is crucial to avoid compromising safety. Concrete steps must be taken to address these issues effectively.