Some Justices of the Peace (JPs) in Fiji are reporting delays in receiving their monthly allowances, which were promised in the 2025–2026 National Budget. According to several JPs who spoke with this newspaper, they have not received the $100 allowance since August, creating financial strain as the holiday season approaches.
One JP from Tailevu, Mosese Turagaduadua, expressed his frustration after visiting Suva to seek answers, only to learn that his documents had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and were pending response. “They kept saying it will come next week or next month, but right now there’s nothing in my account,” said Mr. Turagaduadua. He articulated a sense of urgency, particularly as Christmas nears, adding, “I was expecting this money.”
Several other JPs, who requested to remain anonymous, echoed similar concerns regarding the lack of timely payments. Selina Kuruleca, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Justice, clarified that only those JPs who had submitted the necessary vendor documentation, as outlined in their policy, have received their allowances. She explained, “We cannot action payment if we don’t have details of their verified account in their names.”
Kuruleca emphasized the importance of submitting the required documents for registration as a vendor to facilitate payments. She acknowledged requests from some JPs for a less frequent payment schedule and confirmed that they would provide updates in due course.
The initiative to provide this allowance was initially announced by former Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad during the budget address, where he stated, “To support our Justice of the Peace, who provide essential public services in our communities, we will now, for the first time, provide a monthly allowance of $100.” A total of $1 million was allocated in the budget for this purpose.
As the situation unfolds, there is hope that the Ministry of Justice will expedite the processing of payments to ensure that all JPs receive the support they have been promised, particularly as the festive season draws closer.
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