Opposition MP Premila Kumar has criticized the Government’s recent decision to reallocate funds within the 2023-2024 National Budget to address a $7.9 million overspend by the Ministry of Education and the Fiji Police Force, calling it a clear indication of financial mismanagement.
This action follows a previous reallocation of $105.2 million in July, which was intended to meet additional financial needs across various government departments and projects. Kumar stated that this ongoing situation demonstrates inadequate oversight within the Government and that the Ministry of Finance is failing to maintain control over the budget allocations of its ministries.
“While such reallocations are permitted under the Financial Management Act, they reveal deeper issues, including poor planning, insufficient budget allocations, and ineffective expenditure controls,” she explained.
Kumar emphasized that the public has the right to understand how these overspends occur and what preventative measures are in place to stop government agencies from surpassing their budgets. She pointed out that both the Ministry of Education and the Fiji Police Force are highlighted in the latest reallocation, but the earlier July adjustment affected multiple agencies and projects.
During the budget announcement, the Finance Minister presented new allocations for the financial year without detailing the previous year’s spending, which Kumar criticized. “The Opposition has consistently called for transparency and requested clarification on a $42 million transfer from capital projects, but the government excluded this from discussion in the last business committee meeting,” she remarked.
Kumar demanded that the Finance Minister provide a comprehensive breakdown of all overspending by government agencies, along with justifications for these expenditures. She noted that the Government’s claims of accountability and transparency are under considerable scrutiny.
“Why is this trend of overspending allowed to continue? There haven’t been any disasters or emergencies to justify these extra costs,” she questioned. Kumar concluded by stating that the current circumstances reflect poor budgeting and ineffective expenditure control within the government agencies, insisting that the citizens of Fiji deserve improved financial management and accountability from their Government.