Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for promoting the National Development Plan as if he is trying to sell a product, yet claims that the public remains unconvinced. Speaking in response to comments made by Professor Biman Prasad regarding the development initiative, Kumar raised concerns about how ordinary citizens actually perceive the plan.
She questioned the public’s feelings as they shop for groceries, purchase medications, or seek services from professionals such as lawyers and doctors. Kumar pointed out that citizens also feel the pinch when paying utility bills. She emphasized that while the government may tout a thriving economy, the real question is whether people feel the benefits in their daily lives and how the economic growth is reaching them.
Kumar characterized the plan presented by the government as an unattainable vision that fails to confront pressing challenges faced by the populace. She urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his efforts in addressing these issues. Additionally, she challenged Professor Prasad’s aspirations for the country to achieve high-income status, asserting that the previous Bainimarama administration successfully transitioned Fiji from no income to a middle-income country.