Opposition MP Premila Kumar has raised concerns over the Government’s decision to redeploy funds from the 2023-2024 budget after that financial year has ended. She questioned why the Cabinet is approving these redeployments in August when the financial year closed in July, suggesting this reflects poor financial management and a lack of foresight.
In an interview, Kumar criticized the Minister of Finance for failing to provide details on the $105.2 million in excess and insufficient expenditures that had been redeployed in July, despite assurances of transparency. She insisted that Minister Prasad should stop comparing his actions to those of the previous administration and instead prove that the Coalition Government is making tangible improvements in the lives of Fijians through responsible financial practices.
Kumar emphasized the need for the government to be accountable, offering clear explanations for its financial decisions and ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively for the benefit of the populace, rather than merely to disguise mismanagement. She noted that the Minister’s responses regarding fund redeployment seemed defensive and avoided addressing the core issues of concern.
Highlighting the Opposition’s role in holding the government to account, Kumar stressed the importance of maintaining strict expenditure control and transparency. She clarified that her concerns are not personal but are focused on ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.
The MP pointed out that the Minister’s focus on whether the overall budget was exceeded misses the fundamental issue. She expressed concern over under-expenditure as well, which she believes reflects mismanagement of funds that are supposed to contribute to essential projects. For instance, there has been no progress in rural electrification projects, despite a $4.1 million allocation, and only 39 percent of the $12 million budgeted for crucial hospital equipment was utilized. Additionally, the Ministry of Education utilized only a fraction of the funds intended for upgrading schools and staff facilities, raising serious doubts about the government’s commitment to its pledges.
Kumar further stated that the issue of teacher salaries in the Ministry of Education should have been sufficiently addressed in the upcoming 2024-2025 budget instead of depending on the previous year’s budget redeployments. She also noted similar concerns regarding the Fiji Police Force.