Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has identified poverty as Fiji’s most significant adversary, launching an ambitious national initiative aimed at addressing the long-standing challenges impeding the nation’s progress. In his recent address concerning the 2025–2026 National Budget to Parliament, Rabuka called upon lawmakers, civil servants, and the general public to unite in the fight against stagnation, unethical work ethics, underemployment, and the underutilization of national potential.
Rabuka articulated that poverty transcends mere economic metrics; it constitutes a threat to lives, dignity, and national sovereignty, leading to a cycle characterized by inadequate growth, insufficient innovation, a struggling workforce, and increasing inequality. He stressed the coalition government’s commitment, under his leadership, to not only lessen poverty but to enhance economic growth, stimulate industries, and uplift the morale of the labor force. Special focus will be given to vulnerable segments of society, warranting targeted developmental interventions based on evidence.
In his address, Rabuka noted the disadvantages faced by the coalition government, which inherited a fragile economy plagued by debt and disfunction due to past leadership’s decisions—highlighting issues such as over-centralisation and a failure to foster public trust and creativity. His vision aligns with the National Development Plan and Vision 2050, laying the groundwork for empowering Fijians through reform and unity.
The Prime Minister’s plans include necessary legislative reforms to eliminate outdated laws that hinder progress, alongside a firm commitment to tackle inequality and poverty, particularly within resource-rich yet economically challenged Indigenous Fijian communities. Rabuka assured citizens that the government’s transformative actions against poverty are underway, indicating a hopeful end to its pervasive grip on Fiji.
With this overarching goal, the upcoming initiatives echo similar themes expressed in his New Year’s Day address, where he emphasized moving away from dependency on handouts to focus on sustainable poverty alleviation. He highlighted the importance of community engagement, stating that improvements would be gradual but achievable through innovation and the power of collective efforts. This forward-thinking message signals potential for a brighter future as Fiji embarks on a journey toward sustainable development and empowerment for its citizens.
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